Arrow-Wood Viburnum

The butterflies and wildflowers of New Jersey have evolved together, developing intricate relationships. These relationships are showcased in The Kate Gorrie Memorial Butterfly House. Most plants in the Butterfly House are nectar sources or larval host plants (caterpillar food) allowing the butterflies to complete the entire life cycle within the shelter of the Butterfly House. Other plants provide protection from the elements, or are typical of the New Jersey habitats represented in the Butterfly House.

Arrow-wood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum Larval host plant: Spring Azure Perennial Nectar source Woody shrub Partial shade to full sun Moist to dry soil

Arrow-wood Viburnums grow from 3 feet to 10 feet high, and can reach the same in diameter. Plants bears flat clusters of small, aromatic white flowers in May. In late summer, these become black berries that are popular with birds. The straight slender limbs were often used as shafts for arrows by Native Americans, hence the name. Common through much of the eastern part of the U.S., Arrow-wood Viburnums grow near wooded edges, and can create dense thickets.

New England Aster Aster novae-angliae Larval host plant: Painted Lady Perennial Nectar source Herbaceous Full sun Moist to dry soil

Smooth Aster Aster laevis Larval host plant: Painted Lady Perennial Nectar source Herbaceous Full sun Moist to dry soil

The clusters of purple flowers atop dark green foliage are a sure sign of fall when they bloom in September and October. New England Asters are common in fields and along roadsides, and can reach 2 feet to 8 feet in height. Smooth Asters have blue to light purple flowers and are smaller in size, reaching a maximum of 4 feet in height. The name Aster is from the Greek word aster, meaning “star.” The flowers are indeed star shaped, with purple “petals” surrounding a yellow center. In fact, Aster flowers, like all composites (plants in the family Asteraceae [Compositae]), are actually clusters of two types of flowers. Disc florets, found in the center, have no petals, and are where pollen is located; ray flowers, those around the edge, frame the disc florets. American Goldfinches feed on the seeds of New England Asters. According to Greek myth, wherever the tears of the goddess Astraea fell, Asters grew and bloomed.

Bee Balm Monarda didyma Excellent nectar source Perennial Herbaceous Full sun to partial shade Rich, moist soil

The scarlet flowers of wild Bee Balm attract both butterflies and hummingbirds. The plants are popular in gardens, and cultivars now bear a variety of colored blooms. Plants grow to 4 feet in height, with aromatic foliage. Many eastern Native American tribes used this member of the mint family medicinally. The Oswego are said to have introduced it in tea form to the American colonists, leading to the other common name of Bee Balm, Oswego Tea. Colonists drank it during their protests against England’s tea taxes. Bee Balm ranges from New York west to Minnesota and south, and has naturalized to New England.

Blue Flag Iris Iris versicolor Possible nectar source Perennial rhizome Herbaceous Full sun to part shade Wet soil

The Blue Flag Iris is a beautiful wetland plant, with blade-like leaves and brilliant blue flowers. It usually reaches heights of 2 feet, but has been known to grow as tall as 4 feet. It grows in clumps, which emerge from a branching, perennial rhizome. A plant does not produce flowers until the second or third season. Blue Flag can be found from Newfoundland west to Manitoba and south to Florida. Also called fleur-de-lis, the Iris has many historical connections, from the Ancient Greeks to the modern French and Franco-Canadian. The Greek goddess Iris was the goddess of rainbows, and acted as a messenger between the gods and humans. She also transported the souls of women after their deaths, and purple irises were often planted on women’s graves. Though used medicinally by some Native Americans, the rhizome is toxic to humans. Blueberry Vaccinium sp. Larval host plant: Striped Hairstreak, Brown Elfin Perennial Henry’s Elfin, Woody shrub Spring Azure (Northern Azure subspecies) Full sun Dry to moist acidic soil

The hardy shrubs of the 30 Blueberry species found in eastern North America grow in a variety of habitats, from swamps to high ground to barrens. The small, bell shaped flowers do not give up their nectar easily, and are not commonly used by butterflies. They are designed for small pollinators to crawl inside the flower, and transfer the pollen. Bumblebees are known to chew holes in the flowers to raid the nectar. Flowers appear in May, berries ripen from late June to September. The two species of blueberries found in New Jersey are Highbush (V. corymbosum) and Lowbush (V. angustifolium). The first can reach heights of 15 feet, the latter only 1 to 2 feet. The small green leaves host a variety of butterfly and moth caterpillars; those listed above are found in New Jersey. Blueberries were not grown commercially until the early 1900’s. Commercial stock originated from New Jersey clones.

Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca Swamp Milkweed Asclepias incarnata Larval host plant: Monarch Perennial Excellent nectar sources Herbaceous Full to part sun Moist to dry soil

Common Milkweed is a familiar summer sight along roadsides and in fields. Its large pink-purple flower heads bloom in late June, and the fluffy, white “parachute” seeds become airborne in late summer. It is an excellent source of nectar, and attracts many different species of butterflies. Milkweed prefers full sun, and can reach heights of 3 feet to 5 feet. Common Milkweed and Butterfly Weed prefer dry sites; Swamp Milkweed does well in moist soil, but is drought tolerant and can grow in drier soils. Swamp Milkweed has red flowers, and Butterfly Weed has small clusters of orange flowers.

Milkweed gets its name form the milky sap that flows through the plant. This white latex contains compounds that affect heart function. It is toxic to nearly all animals, but Monarch caterpillars are able to isolate the compounds and put them in their own body, borrowing the plant’s toxicity to protect themselves. This toxicity then remains through adulthood. Milkweed is so vital to the Monarch that the northward migration of Monarch adults in the spring and early summer follows the emergence of milkweed.

Foxglove Beardtongue Penstemon digitalis Larval food: Baltimore Checkerspot Perennial Good nectar source Herbaceous Full sun to light shade Moist to dry soil

A beautiful wildflower of fields and woods, Foxglove Beardtongue can be found from Maine west to Minnesota and south to Alabama. In late spring it bears spikes of white to light purple tube shaped flowers atop striking red leaves. It can grow to heights of 1 to 4 feet. Popular with butterflies and hummingbirds, it also serves as a host plant for Baltimore Checkerspot caterpillars after they disperse from their colonies on Turtlehead (Chelone glabra). A nice addition to any garden, the flowering spikes are great for bouquets.

Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica Larval food: Eastern Comma, Question Mark, Perennial Red Admiral Herbaceous Full sun to part shade Rich soil

An encounter with this native plant is not soon forgotten. The stems of each plant, usually 1-3 feet in height, but as tall as 5 feet, are covered with stinging hairs. A burning, stinging sensation follows skin contact, and can last as long as 30 minutes. Stinging Nettle’s painful reputation obscures the delicate beauty of its pale green flowers, found in the upper axils in late spring through the summer. Not only is it a host to larvae of several New Jersey butterfly species, it is also highly nutritious for humans. Often consumed in a tea, it is high in Vitamins A and C, and iron. Stinging Nettle is found throughout North America and Europe.