National Butterfly Center

The National Butterfly Center is dedicated to education, conservation and scientific research on wild butterflies. Its mission is "Growing Connections". The National Butterfly Center connects people to butterflies, which are intimately connected to native plants, which themselves are connected to the earth.


Scientific Name Common Name Duration Habit Sun Water
Abutilon fruticosum Indian mallow, Texas Indian mallow Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Abutilon hypoleucum Rio Grande abutilon, White-leaf indian-mallow, Whiteleaf Indian mallow Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Abutilon trisulcatum Anglestem Indian Mallow Perennial Subshrub, Shrub
Acacia berlandieri Guajillo, Berlandier acacia, Thornless Catclaw, Mimosa Catclaw, Round-flowered Catclaw, Huajillla, Matoral Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Acacia farnesiana Huisache, Sweet acacia, Mealy wattle Perennial Tree Sun Dry
Acacia greggii Catclaw acacia, Gregg acacia, Long-flower catclaw, Una de gato Perennial Tree Sun Dry
Acacia rigidula Blackbrush acacia, Blackbrush, Catclaw, Chaparro prieto, Gavia Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Acacia schaffneri Schaffner's wattle, Twisted acacia Perennial Shrub
Acourtia runcinata Featherleaf desertpeony, Peonia Perennial Herb
Adelia vaseyi Vasey's Wild-lime Perennial Shrub
Allowissadula lozanii Lozano's False Indianmallow Perennial Herb, Subshrub, Shrub
Aloysia gratissima Whitebrush, Bee-brush, White-brush, Common bee-brush, Beebrush, Privet lippia Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Moist
Aloysia macrostachya Rio Grande beebrush, Woolly Bee-brush Perennial Shrub Sun Moist
Amoreuxia wrightii Wright's yellowshow, Yellow-Show Perennial Herb, Subshrub Sun Moist
Amyris madrensis Mountain torchwood, Shrub Amyris Perennial Shrub Sun
Amyris texana Chapotillo, Texas torchwood Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii Flame acanthus, Hummingbird bush, Wright's desert honeysuckle, Wright acanthus, Mexican flame, Wright's Mexican flame Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Aphanostephus ramosissimus Plains dozedaisy, Lazy daisy Annual Herb
Asclepias oenotheroides Zizotes milkweed, Hierba de Zizotes, Longhorn milkweed, Side-cluster milkweed, Primrose milkweed, Lindheimer's milkweed Perennial Herb Sun
Baccharis neglecta False Willow, Jara dulce, Poverty Weed, Roosevelt Weed Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Bernardia myricifolia Mouse Ears, Mouse's eye Perennial Shrub
Bouteloua dactyloides Buffalograss, Buffalo grass Perennial Grass/Grass-like Sun Dry
Buddleja sessiliflora Rio Grande butterflybush, Tepozan Perennial Shrub Part-shade Moist
Carlowrightia parviflora Smallflower Wrightwort
Castela erecta Goatbush Perennial Shrub, Tree
Celtis ehrenbergiana Desert hackberry, Spiny hackberry, Granjeno, Shiny hackberry, Huasteco Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Celtis laevigata Sugar hackberry, Hackberry, Sugarberry, Texas sugarberry, Palo blanco Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Cephalanthus salicifolius Mexican Buttonbush Perennial Shrub, Tree
Chloracantha spinosa Mexican devil-weed, Spiny chloracantha Perennial Herb
Chromolaena odorata Jack in the bush, Fragrant boneset, Fragrant mistflower, Crucita, Blue mistflower Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Cirsium texanum Texas thistle Biennial Herb Sun Dry
Citharexylum berlandieri Berlandier's fiddlewood, Berlandier fiddlewood, Fiddlewood Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Clematis drummondii Drummond's clematis, Old man’s beard, Texas virgin’s bower, Goat’s beard Perennial Vine Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Condalia hookeri Bluewood condalia, Brasil, Brazilwood, Brazilian bluewood Perennial Shrub, Tree Part-shade Dry
Conoclinium betonicifolium Betonyleaf thoroughwort, Betony-leaf mistflower Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist
Conoclinium greggii Gregg's mistflower, Palmleaf thoroughwort, Palm-leaf mistflower, Palm-leaf thoroughwort, Purple palmleaf mistflower, Purple palmleaf eupatorium Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Cooperia drummondii Evening rain lily, Evening star rain lily Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Cordia boissieri Mexican olive, Anacahuita, Texas wild olive, Anacahuite Perennial Shrub, Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Coursetia axillaris Texas babybonnets Perennial Shrub
Croton cortesianus Cortez's Croton Perennial Shrub
Croton humilis Pepperbush Perennial Shrub
Croton incanus Torrey's croton Perennial Shrub
Croton leucophyllus Twocolor Croton Annual Herb
Cynanchum racemosum Talayote Perennial Herb, Vine
Dalea aurea Golden dalea, Golden prairie clover Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Desmanthus virgatus Wild Tantan Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Dicliptera sexangularis Sixangle foldwing Perennial Herb
Diospyros texana Texas persimmon, Mexican persimmon, Black persimmon, Chapote, Chapote prieto Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Ebenopsis ebano Texas ebony, Ebano Perennial Shrub Sun Moist, Dry
Echeandia chandleri Chandler's craglily, Lila de los llanos Perennial Herb Part-shade Dry
Ehretia anacua Anacua, Sugarberry Anacua, Anaqua, Knockaway, Sandpaper tree Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Erythrina herbacea Coralbean, Cherokee bean, Red cardinal Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Eysenhardtia texana Texas kidneywood, Kidneywood, Bee-Brush, Vara dulce Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Ferocactus hamatacanthus var. sinuatus Turk's-head Cactus Perennial Shrub, Cactus/Succulent
Fleischmannia incarnata Pink Thoroughwort Perennial Herb
Florestina tripteris Sticky florestina Annual Herb
Forestiera angustifolia Narrow-leaf forestiera, Tanglewood, desert olive, panalero, Texas swampprivet Perennial Tree Sun Dry
Forestiera pubescens Stretchberry, Elbow bush, Spring herald Perennial Shrub Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Funastrum cynanchoides Fringed twinevine, Climbing milkweed vine, Twine-vine Perennial Vine Part-shade Dry
Glandularia bipinnatifida Purple prairie verbena, Prairie verbena, Dacota vervain, Dakota mock vervain, Moradilla Perennial Herb, Subshrub Part-shade Moist, Dry
Glandularia polyantha Rio Grande Mock Vervain Perennial Herb
Glandularia quandrangulata Beaked mock vervain, Pale mock vervain, Chihuahuan mock vervain Annual Herb
Gochnatia hypoleuca Shrubby Bullseye Perennial Shrub
Guajacum angustifolium Texas lignum-vitae, Guayacan, Soapbush Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Havardia pallens Tenaza, Huajillo, Ape’s ear-ring Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Helianthus annuus Common sunflower Annual Herb Sun Dry
Helietta parvifolia Barreta Perennial Tree
Heliotropium angiospermum Scorpion's-tail, Scorpion-tail Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist
Heliotropium confertifolium Leafy heliotrope Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Heliotropium curassavicum Salt heliotrope, Seaside heliotrope, Quail plant, Cola de mico Annual Herb Sun Dry
Hibiscus martianus Heartleaf rosemallow, Tulipan del Monte, Heartleaf Hibiscus Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Jatropha dioica Leatherstem, Leather Stem, Rubber Plant Perennial Subshrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Justicia longii Longflower tubetongue Perennial Subshrub
Justicia pilosella Gregg's tubetongue, Hairy Tube-tongue, False Honeysuckle Perennial Herb Part-shade Moist, Dry
Justicia runyonii Runyon's water-willow Perennial Subshrub Sun, Part-shade Moist
Karwinskia humboldtiana Coyotillo, Humboldt coyotillo Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Lantana achyranthifolia Brushland shrubverbena, Mexican marjoram, Veinyleaf lantana Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Lantana canescens Hammock shrubverbena Perennial Shrub
Lantana urticoides Texas lantana, Calico bush, West Indian shrub-verbena Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Lepidium virginicum Virginia peppergrass, Virginia pepperweed, Peppergrass, Poor man's pepper Annual Herb Sun Dry
Lesquerella lasiocarpa Roughpod Bladderpod Annual, Biennial, Perennial Herb
Leucaena pulverulenta Great leadtree, Tepaguaje Perennial Tree Part-shade Moist
Leucophyllum frutescens Cenizo, Purple sage, Texas ranger, Texas barometer bush, Texas silverleaf, Texas sage Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Lippia alba Bushy lippia Perennial Shrub Part-shade Moist
Lippia graveolens Mexican oregano, Redbrush lippia Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Malpighia glabra Acerola, Barbados Cherry, Manzanita, Wild crapemyrtle Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Malvastrum americanum Indian Valley False Mallow Annual, Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii Turk's cap or Turkscap, Drummond's turkscap, Wax mallow, Drummond wax-mallow, Red mallow, Texas mallow, Mexican apple, Manzanilla, Sleeping hibiscus, Bleeding hearts Perennial Shrub Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Mandevilla lanuginosa Plateau Rocktrumpet Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Manfreda longiflora Longflower tuberose, Amole de río, Runyon's Huaco Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Manfreda variegata Mottled tuberose, Huaco, Manfreda, Texas tuberose Perennial Cactus/Succulent Part-shade Dry
Manihot walkerae Walker's manioc, Walker's manihot, Texas tapioca Perennial Herb
Maurandella antirrhiniflora Snapdragon Vine, Roving sailor, Climbing snapdragon, Little snapdragon vine Perennial Vine Part-shade Dry
Merremia dissecta Alamo Vine, Noyau vine, Correhuela de las Doce Perennial Vine Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Monarda citriodora Lemon beebalm, Horsemint, Purple horsemint, Lemon mint, Plains horsemint, Lemon horsemint Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Morus rubra Red mulberry, Moral Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Palafoxia hookeriana Sand palafox, Hooker palafoxia, Sand palafoxia, Hooker's palafoxia Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Palafoxia texana Texas palafox Annual Herb Sun Moist
Parkinsonia aculeata Retama, Paloverde, Mexican Palo Verde, Jerusalem thorn, Lluvia de Oro Perennial Tree Sun Moist, Dry
Parkinsonia texana Texas paloverde, Border palo verde Perennial Shrub, Tree
Passiflora foetida Corona de Cristo, Scarlet-fruit passion flower, Fetid passionflower Annual Vine Sun, Part-shade Dry
Passiflora suberosa Corkstem Passionflower Perennial Herb, Vine
Passiflora tenuiloba Bird Wing Passionflower, Birdwing passionflower, Slender-lobe Passionflower, Spread Lobe Passionflower Perennial Vine Part-shade Dry
Pavonia lasiopetala Rock rose, Rose pavonia, Rose mallow, Pavonia Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Phyla nodiflora Texas frogfruit, Turkey tangle fogfruit, Frogfruit Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Plumbago scandens Doctorbush, Summer snow plumbago, Mexican plumbago Perennial Herb Part-shade Dry
Polanisia dodecandra Clammyweed, Redwhisker clammyweed Annual Herb
Portulaca pilosa Chisme, Kiss me quick Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Prosopis glandulosa Honey mesquite Perennial Tree Sun Dry
Quercus fusiformis Escarpment live oak, Plateau live oak, Texas live oak, Scrub live oak, Hill country live oak, Plateau oak Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Quercus lobata Valley oak Perennial Tree Sun
Randia rhagocarpa Crucillo
Ratibida columnifera Mexican hat, Prairie coneflower, Upright prairie coneflower, Red-spike mexican-hat, Long-headed coneflower, Thimbleflower Perennial Herb Sun Moist, Dry
Rivina humilis Pigeonberry, Rouge plant, Baby peppers Perennial Herb Part-shade Moist
Ruellia nudiflora Violet ruellia, Common wild petunia, Violet wild petunia, Wild petunia Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Ruellia occidentalis Western wild petunia Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Sabal mexicana Mexican palm, Palma Di Micharos, Rio Grande palmetto, Texas palm, Texas palmetto Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Salix nigra Black willow, Gulf black willow Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Wet, Moist
Salvia ballotiflora Shrubby blue sage, Blue Shrub Sage, Mejorana Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Salvia coccinea Scarlet Sage, Tropical Sage, Blood sage Annual, Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii Western soapberry, Soapberry Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Serjania brachycarpa Littlefruit slipplejack, Serjania Perennial Vine Part-shade Wet
Simsia calva Awnless bush sunflower, Bush sunflower Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Solanum elaeagnifolium Silverleaf nightshade, Silver-leaf nightshade, White horse nettle, Trompillo, Tomato weed Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Solanum erianthum Potato Tree, Potatotree Perennial Tree
Sophora secundiflora Texas mountain laurel, Mountain laurel, Mescal bean, Mescal bean sophora, Frijolillo, Frijolito Perennial Shrub, Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Sophora tomentosa Yellow necklacepod, Yellow sophora, Necklace pod, Tambalisa Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Tamaulipa azurea Blue Boneset Perennial Shrub, Vine
Tecoma stans Yellow bells, Yellowbells, Esperanza, Yellow trumpetbush, Yellow trumpetflower, Trumpetbush, Trumpetflower, Yellow elder Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Thamnosma texana Dutchman’s breeches, Ruda del monte, Rue of the mountains, Texas desert-rue Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Thymophylla pentachaeta Fiveneedle pricklyleaf, Five-needle Fetid Marigold Perennial Subshrub
Thymophylla tenuiloba Bristleleaf pricklyleaf Annual Herb
Turnera diffusa Damiana Perennial Subshrub, Shrub
Verbena halei Slender verbena, Texas verbena, Texas vervain Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Verbesina encelioides Cowpen Daisy, Golden crownbeard, Butter daisy Annual Herb Sun Dry
Verbesina microptera Texas crownbeard Perennial Herb
Vicia ludoviciana Louisiana vetch, Deer Pea Vetch Annual Herb
Viguiera stenoloba Resinbush, Skeleton-leaf Goldeneye Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Wedelia texana Zexmenia, Orange zexmenia, Wedelia, Hairy wedelia, Texas creeping-oxeye Perennial Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Wissadula amplissima Big Yellow Velvetleaf Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Wissadula periplocifolia White Velvetleaf Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Zanthoxylum fagara Lime prickly ash, Colima Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Zinnia acerosa Desert zinnia, Dwarf zinnia, Dwarf white zinnia Perennial Herb Sun Dry