Butterfly Nectar Plants in North Carolina

by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Jeff's Plant Pages | Jeff's Butterfly Pages | Jeff's Nature Pages

Here are a handful of plant species found in NC that are sometimes used as nectar sources by butterflies.


Phlox nivalis Phlox (Phlox nivalis)
Shocco Creek Gamelands
Franklin Co., NC
18 April 2004
Bird-foot Violet (Viola pedata)
Clay Co., NC
13 May 2006
Dwarf Rhododendrum (Rhododendron atlanticum)
Pender Co., NC
24 April 2004
Yellow Thistle (Cirsium horridulum)

(Formerly called Carduum spinosissimus)
Pender Co., NC
24 April 2004
Southern Cloudywing on Colic-root (Aletris farinosa)
Alamance Co., NC 6 June 2004
Beggarticks (Tickseed) (Bidens aristosa) with a Common Checkered-Skipper
Chatham Co., NC 26 Sep 2004

This is a common and widespread fall-blooming species in fields, marsh edges, powerlines and along roadsides in NC.
Lyreleaf Sage (Salvia lyrata) with Pipevine Swallowtail
Graham Co., NC 1 May 2004
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Durham Co., NC 2 July 2005
same as above
Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)

Although this cluster is planted in my yard, it does grow wild and native in NC.
Narrowleaf Mountain-Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) Narrowleaf Mountain-Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) with Southern Cloudywing

This is a great nectar source, attracting many species of butterflies in the summertime.

Narrowleaf Mountain-Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) Narrowleaf Mountain-Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium)
same as above
Narrowleaf Mountain-Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium) Narrowleaf Mountain-Mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium)
same as above
Common Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) Common Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)

This short herb is along the edges of roads & trails, and it often attracts butterflies.

Common Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris) Common Selfheal (Prunella vulgaris)
same as above
Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
Orange Co., NC 7/20/2005

Although not native to the U.S. and considered by several states to be a Noxious Weed, Bull Thistle is a great butterfly nectar source, as this Clouded Skipper can attest to!

Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare)
same as above
Shrubby Lespedeza (Lespedeza bicolor)
Orange Co., NC 20 Aug 2005

Introduced Lespedezas along roadsides and in power lines can be excellent butterfly attractants.

Shrubby Lespedeza (Lespedeza bicolor)
Orange Co., NC 20 Aug 2005
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Durham Co., NC 20 Aug 2005

A good butterfly nectar plant and a great hummingbird nectar plant, this species grows along streams, wet ditches, and pond edges.

Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Durham Co., NC 20 Aug 2005
Tiger Swallowtail on Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Orange Co., NC 6 June 04
Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum) Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)
Orange Co., NC 11 June 2005

Daisies are introduced from Europe, and in general are relatively poor nectar plants for butterflies. However, when few other flowers are available, butterflies will use daisies.

Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum)

Blue Mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum)

This fall-flowering species was formerly placed in the genus Eupatorium. It can be an excellent butterfly magnet in some parts of the state, especially along the coast.
Mistflower (Eupatorium coelestinum) same as above
Blazing Star (Liatris graminifolia) Blazing Star (Liatris graminifolia)
Craven Co., NC 28 Aug 2005

This fall blooming species is often a butterfly magnet in power line clearings.


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Created on ... April 18, 2004 | Updated ... Oct 14, 2005 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com