Keystone Species
What is a keystone native plant?
The term “keystone” plant, popularized by noted entomologist Douglas W. Tallamy, refers to the critical piece of a stone arch that holds it together. Without it, the arch collapses.
Keystone plants are native plant species that play an outsized role in supporting the local food web. Although all native plants can contribute to biodiversity, a comparatively small number host especially large numbers of native insects—particularly moth and butterfly caterpillars. Those insects turn plant leaves into food for spiders, amphibians, reptiles, and birds, including many songbirds that rely on caterpillars to feed their young. In this way, keystone plants help move energy from the sun and vegetation into the broader community of wildlife.
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| Scientific Name | Common Name(s) | Supports Pollinators | Number of Lepidotera Species Genus Supports Sort ascending | Number of Pollen Specialist Bees that Rely on this Genus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhus glabra | Smooth sumac | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus | Philadelphia fleabane | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | 12 | |
| Lespedeza virginica | Slender lespedeza, Slender bush clover, Slender bush-clover | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Alisma subcordatum | Southern water-plantain, American water plantain | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Caltha palustris var. palustris | Cowslip, Marsh marigold | Bees, Hummingbirds | ||
| Nelumbo lutea | American lotus, American lotus-lily, Yellow lotus | Bees | ||
| Viola striata | Cream violet, Striped violet | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Cercis canadensis var. canadensis | Eastern redbud | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Agrostis hyemalis | Winter bentgrass, Ticklegrass | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Eupatorium capillifolium | Dog-fennel | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Phlox subulata | Moss phlox, Moss-pink | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Cephalanthus occidentalis | Buttonbush | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds, Monarchs | ||
| Heliopsis helianthoides var. helianthoides | Oxeye, Smooth oxeye | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | 5 | |
| Pycnanthemum muticum | Short-toothed mountain-mint, Clustered mountain-mint | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Achillea borealis | Common yarrow | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Liatris squarrosa var. squarrosa | Scaly blazing star | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Aplectrum hyemale | Puttyroot, Adam-and-eve | Bees | ||
| Campanulastrum americanum | Tall bellflower | Bees, Hummingbirds | ||
| Nyssa sylvatica | Black gum, Sour gum, Sourgum | Bees | ||
| Vitis riparia | Riverbank grape | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Anatherum glomeratum | Bushy bluestem, Bushy beardgrass | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Eupatorium hyssopifolium | Hyssop-leaf thoroughwort | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Physocarpus opulifolius var. opulifolius | Ninebark, Common ninebark, Eastern ninebark | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Senna marilandica | Maryland wild senna, Southern wild senna | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Heuchera americana | Alumroot, American alumroot, Coral bells, Rock geranium | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds |