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.
Displaying 101 - 125 of 249
| 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 aromatica | Fragrant sumac | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Teucrium canadense | Canada germander, American germander | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Itea virginica | Virginia sweetspire, Virginia-willow | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Mertensia virginica | Virginia bluebell, Virginia cowslip | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Baptisia australis | Blue false indigo, Blue wild indigo, False blue indigo | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Mimulus ringens var. ringens | Allegheny monkeyflower, Square-stemmed monkeyflower | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Viburnum nudum | Southern wild raisin, Possum-haw, Possum-haw viburnum | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Campsis radicans | Trumpet-creeper, Trumpet vine | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Eubotrys racemosus | Fetterbush, Swamp dog-hobble | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Phlox paniculata | Garden phlox, Fall phlox | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Viburnum prunifolium | Black haw, Blackhaw, Blackhaw viburnum, Nannyberry, Plum leaf viburnum | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Rhus copallinum | Winged sumac, Flameleaf sumac, Shining sumac | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Clematis virginiana | Virgin's bower, Virgin's-bower | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Justicia americana | Common water-willow, American water-willow | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Polygonatum biflorum | Giant solomon's seal, Large solomon's-seal | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Baptisia tinctoria | Yellow wild indigo, Horsefly weed | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Monarda didyma | Scarlet beebalm, Oswego tea | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Viola pedata ssp. pedata | Bird's foot violet, Bird's-foot violet, Birdfoot violet | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Virginia-creeper, Virginia creeper | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Eupatorium altissimum | Tall thoroughwort, Tall boneset | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Phlox pilosa | Downy phlox | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds | ||
| Amorpha fruticosa | False indigo-bush, Tall indigo-bush | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Pycnanthemum incanum | Hoary mountain mint | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Rhus glabra | Smooth sumac | Bees, Butterfiles | ||
| Actaea racemosa | Common black cohosh, Bugbane | Bees, Butterfiles, Hummingbirds |