Ecological Roles
of Common
Wildflowers in
Home
Landscapes
Rufino Osorio
May 23, 2009
FNPS Conference
Unless indicated otherwise, all text and
images are © 2009 by Rufino Osorio
Ecological Roles of Cultivated Wildflowers
• INSECT PRODUCTION
• INSECT PRODUCTION
Native wildflowers are an important source of pollen
and nectar for native insects.
• Long-lived perennial
• Tiny white flowers attract flies, wasps, bees, beetles, true
bugs, and both small and large butterflies; important
source of nectar for tiny parasitic flies and wasps
• Larval food source for black swallowtail butterflies
• Prefers moist sites in partial shade to full sun
• Dangerously toxic; must never be planted where it could
be mistaken for an edible relative in the same family such
as carrots or parsnips; in other words, do not plant it as
an ornamental in vegetable gardens!
Greeneyes – Berlandiera pumila, subacaulis, and × humilis
Greeneyes – Berlandiera pumila, subacaulis, and × humilis
Greeneyes – Berlandiera pumila, subacaulis, and × humilis
Greeneyes – Berlandiera pumila, subacaulis, and × humilis
Berlandiera
• Long-lived perennial
• Brilliant yellow daisies attract bees and both small and
large butterflies
• The species pumila and subacaulis must have extremely
well-drained soil in full sun; the hybrid between the two
species has hybrid vigor and tolerates more shade and
wetter soils than either of its parents
• Tends to go semi-dormant or dormant in hot, humid
summer weather
• Old, dried flower stems will need to be cut to the ground
once a year
Beggar Ticks – Bidens alba
Bidens alba
• Everblooming perennial
• Brilliant white, honey-scented daisies attract innumerable
insects including bees, flies, wasps, beetles, day-flying
moths, true bugs, and both small and large butterflies
• Easily grown from seeds or cuttings in moist but well-
drained soil in very light shade to full sun
• The foliage is a larval food for the dainty sulphur
butterfly, Nathalis iole
• Barbed, seed-like fruits that stick to fur, feathers, and
human clothing are a considerable annoyance
• Extremely weedy due to excessive self-seeding
• Doubtfully native
Oakleaf Fleabane – Erigeron quercifolius
Erigeron quercifolius
• Summer annual
• Easily grown from seeds or cuttings; self-sows once
established
• Oregano-scented foliage is an additional interesting
feature
• Colorful bracts vary from almost pure white to pale or
dark pink
• Unexcelled for attracting a vast array of bees, flies,
wasps, true bugs, and day-flying moths
• Usually dies after flowering and setting seeds
Primrose-willow
Ludwigia maritima
Ludwigia maritima
• Long-lived perennial
• Easily grown in moist soil in very light shade to full sun
• Easily propagated from seeds or cuttings (may also be
propagated from root tubers)
• Flowers have easily accessible pollen and nectar and are
especially attractive to bees and wasps
• One of the food plants for the caterpillars of the banded
sphinx moth (Eumorpha fasciatus)
Witch Grass – Dichanthelium species
Star-grass (Hypoxis juncea) is but one example of the many
small wildflowers that can be grown with witch grasses.
Dichanthelium
• Short- to long-lived perennials
• Combine well with short wildflowers such yellow star-
grass and wild-petunias
• Numerous stems create a complex 3-dimensional space
in which many insects, spiders, and small reptiles live or
seek shelter
• Flowers are visited by pollen-seeking flower flies
• Foliage is a food source for a wide variety of skippers
• Seed heads provide food for grain-eating birds and small
mammals
• Old, dried matted stems can be unsightly and may need
to be raked or cut to the ground in the autumn
Piriqueta – Piriqueta caroliniana
Piriqueta
Piriqueta caroliniana
Piriqueta caroliniana
• Long-lived perennial
• Generally pest free but susceptible to root mealy bugs
• Easily grown from seeds; also propagated by division
• Brilliant white flower-heads provide easily accessible
pollen and nectar to a wide variety of insects
• Self-sterile and two or more clones are required for seed
production
• When grown in formal garden situations, old flower stems
will need to be removed once or twice a year for a tidy
appearance
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