Native alternatives to butterfly bush

Recently at the Birds & Blooms blogs, Carole Sevilla Brown wrote about the problems butterfly bush is causing in many areas of the United States. Although commonly recommended for butterfly gardeners, the most commonly available butterfly bush in the horticultural trade, Buddleja davidii, is native to east Asia and is an invasive species in many areas of the United States.

So far, Canada's cold climate has apparently prevented B. davidii from becoming naturalized here, except in parts of British Columbia (Tallent-Halsell and Watt, 2009). However, each mature butterfly bush can produce millions of seeds, and these seeds can be spread by cars and trains (Tallent-Halsell and Watt, 2009). So a butterfly bush in Toronto could contribute to the problems our neighbours to the south are facing. In addition, climate change is likely to make Ontario's climate milder and therefore put our wild spaces at greater risk from butterfly bush invasion.

Luckily, there are many alternatives for butterfly gardeners. Growing native species avoids the problems of habitat destruction caused by invasives, and can provide better attraction for butterflies by providing food for caterpillars as well as adult butterflies (Tallamy 2009).

With that in mind, here are a few flowering shrubs native to Ontario, which I found through Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's Plants Database. This is a great resource for wildlife gardeners throughout the United States and Canada; you can search by state/province, habit, lifespan, light needs, moisture needs, bloom season, bloom colour, and height! Each species description at the Wildflower Center's database includes a wealth of information, including which butterflies' and moths' larvae feed on each plant, and links to their descriptions at Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA).

Native Ontario shrubs to attact butterflies

• Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon serviceberry): fragrant white flowers in spring. Berries are red to black in colour, attract birds, also edible for humans. Autumn foliage is yellow, orange, or red.
• Amorpha canescens (leadplant): small shrub with spikes of striking dark purple flowers in early summer; attractive silvery foliage.
• Ceanothus herbaceus (Jersey tea): umbels of white flowers in spring to early summer. Larval host for mottled duskywing (Erynnis martialis).
• Cephalanthus occidentalis (buttonbush): nifty spherical clusters of white flowers in the summer. Nutlets attract birds.
• Lindera benzoin (northern spicebush): pale yellow flowers before leaves emerge (male plants have showier flowers). Yellow autumn foliage; red berries on female plants. Larval host for spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus), eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), and promethea silkmoth (Callosamia promethea).
• Spiraea alba (white meadowsweet): spikes of white flowers in the summer, yellow autumn foliage. Larval host for spring azure (Celastrina ladon).
• Spiraea tomentosa (steeplebush): steeple-shaped clusters of pink flowers in summer. Larval host for Columbia silkmoth (Hyalophora columbia).
• Viburnum acerifolium (maple-leaf viburnum): clusters of white flowers in spring and summer followed by red to black berries which attract birds. Pinkish-purple autumn foliage! Larval host for spring azure (Celastrina ladon).

I'm so glad that Carole wrote her original post, as I didn't realize that butterfly bush was such a problem, nor did I know much about these lovely native shrubs that we can grow instead. I've got seeds for buttonbush stratifying right now, and I plan to look into some of these other shrubs as well. Please click the links for each plant to see gorgeous photos; I hope you'll be as excited about these plants as I am and try some in your garden!

Works cited

• Nita Tallent-Halsell and Michael S. Watt (2009). The Invasive Buddleja davidii. The Botanical Review, September.
• Douglas W. Tallamy (2009). Bringing nature home: How native plants sustain wildlife in our gardens (updated and expanded edition) Portland, OR: Timber Press.

Viburnum trilobum foliage

Viburnum trilobum, known in English as "highbush cranberry", "American cranberry bush", or "American cranberry viburnum", and in French as viorne trilobée, viorne pimbina, or pimbina, is a decidious shrub native to southern Canada and the northern United States. Although called a cranberry, it is not a true cranberry. (True cranberries are in the genus Vaccinum, like blueberries). Still, the highbush cranberries fruit look and taste similar to the real thing.

As you can see, I missed the prime flowering season. (This page has a good photo of a full corymb of flowers, as well as photos of the berries and fall colour).

The pretty flowers in spring, attractive maple-like foliage (click photo for a better look), fall colour, and edible berries, make this an appealing native shrub.

I photographed this plant at Purdon Conservation Area.

NANPS Native Plant Sale coming May 9

The North American Native Plant Society is having a plant sale and expo in Markham on May 9. I don't know how I'll be able to go, since I don't drive, but if you can go it looks amazing. Check out the list of amazing plants available at very reasonable prices (you can reserve plants, but check their policy on plant unavailability at the bottom of this page before you do).

Toronto native plants starting with A: Acalypha rhomboidea to Aureolaria virginica

Above: Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed).

(Updated November 29, 2009).

It's exciting to see how many possibilities for native plant garderners there are in Toronto (something you'd never guess from the average Toronto plant seller, unfortunately.) I've put a link to the relevant entries in this blog where available. I have tried to be as accurate as possible but I'm no expert so any corrections to this list would be appreciated!

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Z

A

• Acalypha rhomboidea (three-seeded mercury). Me (East York), PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Acer x freemanii (Freeman maple). NANPS, PLANTS.
• Acer nigrum (black maple). CCC, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS.
• Acer pensylvanicum (striped maple). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Acer rubrum (red maple). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: Chester, DG.
• Acer saccharinum (silver maple). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Acer saccharum (sugar maple). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Acer spicatum (mountain maple). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Achillea alpinum (Chinese yarrow). PLANTS.
• Achillea millefolium (common yarrow). Me (East York), LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS, PtS. More info: DG.
• Acorus americanus (sweetflag), rare. Banville (as A. calamus), LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS.
• Acorus calamus: see Acorus americanus.
• Actaea alba: see A. pachypoda.
• Actaea x ludovici (hybrid baneberry), rare. Banville, PLANTS.
• Actaea pachypoda (doll's eyes), common. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Actea racemosa (black baneberry). PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Actea rubra (red baneberry), common. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Adiantum pedatum (northern maidenhair), rare. Banville, LBJ, NANPS. More info: DG.
• Adlumia fungosa (climbing fumitory). P&M, PLANTS. More info: PLANTS.
• Aesculus glabra (Ohio buckeye). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Agalinis gattingeri (Gattinger's agalinus). CC SAR, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Agalinis paupercula (smallflower false foxglove). PLANTS.
• Agalinis paupercula var. borealis (smallflower false foxglove). LBJ.
• Agalinis purpurea (large purple agalinus). CC rare, LBJ, P&M (as Gerardia purpurea), PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Agalinis skinneriana (Skinner's agalinus). CC SAR, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Agalinis tenuifolia (slenderleaf false foxglove). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Agastache foeniculum (anise hyssop). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Agastache nepetoides (yellow giant hyssop). LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Agastache scrophulariaefolia (purple giant hyssop). CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Ageratina altissima (white snakeroot). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Ageratina altissima var. altissima (white snakeroot). LBJ, NANPS (as Eupatorium rugosum, P&M (as E. rugosum), PLANTS.
• Agrimonia gryposepala (tall hairy agrimony), common. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Agrimonia parviflora (small-flower groovebur). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Agrimonia pubescens (soft agrimony), rare. Banville, PLANTS.
• Agrimonia striata (roadside agrimony). PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Agropyron trachycaulum: see Elymus trachycaulus.
• Agrostis hyemalis (winter bentgrass), rare. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Agrostis mertensii (northern bentgrass). PLANTS.
• Agrostis perennans (upland bentgrass), rare. Banville, PLANTS.
• Agrostis scabra (fly-away grass). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Aletris farinosa (stargrass, unicorn root, white colicroot). CCC, CC SAR, LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Alisma gramineum (grass-leaved water-plantain). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Alisma plantago-aquatica: see A. trivale.
• Alisma subcordatum. P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Alisma trivale (water plantain), common. Banville (as A. plantago-aquatica), P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Allium burdickii (narrowleaf wild leek). NANPS, PLANTS.
• Allium canadense (wild garlic). LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Allium cernuum (nodding wild onion). CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Allium schoenoprasum (wild chives). NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Allium stellatum (autumn onion). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Allium tricoccum (wild leek), uncommon. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Alnus incana (speckled alder). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Alnus incana ssp. rugosa (speckled alder), uncommon. Banville (as A. rugosa), LBJ, NANPS (as Alnus rugosa).
• Alnus rugosa: see A. incana ssp. rugosa.
• Alnus viridis (green alder). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Alnus viridis ssp. crispa (green alder). LBJ.
• Alopecurus aequalis (short-awned foxtail), rare. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Amaranthus powellii (Powell's amaranth). PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Amaranthus tuberculatus (roughfruit amaranth). PLANTS.
• Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed). Me (East York), LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Ambrosia xhelenae. PLANTS.
• Ambrosia psilostacha (Cuman ragweed). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Ambrosia trifida (great ragweed). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Ambrosia trifida var. trifida (great ragweed). LBJ.
• Amelanchier spp. (serviceberries). Me (High Park), P&M. More info: Chester.
• Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon serviceberry). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG
• Amelanchier arborea (common serviceberry). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Amelanchier arborea var. arborea (common serviceberry). LBJ.
• Amelanchier bartramiana (oblongfruit serviceberry). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Amelanchier canadensis (Canadian serviceberry). PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Amelanchier interior (Pacific serviceberry). PLANTS.
• Amelanchier x intermedia. PLANTS.
• Amelanchier laevis (Allegheny serviceberry). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Amelanchier x neglecta. PLANTS.
• Amelanchier sanguinea (roundleaf serviceberry). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Amelanchier sanguinea var. gaspensis (Gaspé serviceberry). LBJ.
• Amelanchier sanguinea var. sanguinea (roundleaf serviceberry). LBJ.
• Amelanchier stolonifera (running serviceberry). PLANTS.
• Ammannia robusta (scarlet ammannia). CC SAR, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Ammophila breviligulata (American beach grass), rare. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Amorpha fruticosa (desert false indigo). CC rare, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Amphicarpa bracteata (American hog peanut). P&M, PLANTS, PtS.
• Anacharis canadensis: see Elodea canadensis.
• Anaphalis margaritacea (pearly everlasting). LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Andromeda polifolia (bog rosemary). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem), uncommon. Banville, CCC, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS, PtS. More info: DG.
• Andropogon scoparius: see Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium.
• Andropogon virginicus (broomsedge bluestem). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Androsace septentrionalis (pygmyflower rockjasmine). LBJ. More info: DG.
• Anemone canadensis (Canada anemone), common. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS, PtS. More info: DG.
• Anemone cylindrica (candle anemone), rare. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS, PtS.
• Anemone multifida (Pacific anemone). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone), uncommon. Banville, LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Anemone richardsonii (yellow thimbleweed). LBJ. More info: DG.
• Anemone virginiana (tall thimbleweed), common. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, P&M (as Anemone riparia), PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Angelica atropurpurea (purplestem angelica). P&M, PLANTS.
• Angelica lucida (seacoast angelica). PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Angelica purpurescens (purple angelica). NANPS.
• Antennaria howellii (Howell's pussytoes). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Antennaria howellii ssp. canadensis (Canadian pussytoes). LBJ.
• Antennaria howellii ssp. neodioica (Howell's pussytoes). LBJ.
• Antennaria howellii ssp. petaloidea (small pussytoes). LBJ.
• Antennaria neglecta (field pussytoes). LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Antennaria parlinii (Parlin's pussytoes). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS.
• Antennaria parlinii ssp. fallax (Parlin's pussytoes). LBJ.
• Antennaria parlinii ssp. parlinii (Parlin's pussytoes). LBJ.
• Apios americana (groundnut). LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS, PtS. More info: DG.
• Aplectrum hyemale (puttyroot, Adam and Eve). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Apocynum adrosaemifolium (spreading dogbane). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Apocynum cannabinum (hemp dogbane). LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS, PtS. More info: DG.
• Apocynum floribundum (intermediate dogbane). P&M (as Apocynum medium), PLANTS.
• Aquilegia canadensis (wild columbine), uncommon. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG, Leckie.
• Arabis alpina (alpine rockcres). PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Arabis canadensis (sicklepod), rare. Banville, P&M, PLANTS.
• Arabis × divaricarpa (spreadingpod rockcress). PLANTS.
• Arabis drummondii (Drummond's rockcress). PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Arabis glabra (tower mustard), rare. Banville, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Arabis hirsuta (hairy rockcress). P&M, PLANTS.
• Arabis hirsuta var. adpressipilis (hairy rock-cress). CC rare.
• Arabis laevigata (smooth rock cress), rare. Banville, P&M, PLANTS.
• Arabis lyrata (lyre-leaved rock cress). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS.
• Arabis shortii (Short's rock-cress). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Aralia hispida (bristly sarsparilla). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS.
• Aralia nudicaulis (wild sarsparilla). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Aralia racemosa (American spikenard). NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Arethusa bulbosa (dragon's mouth). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Argentina anserina (silverweed cinquefoil), common. Banville (as Potentilla anserina), LBJ, NANPS (as P. anserina), P&M (as P. anserina), PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Arisaema dracontium (green dragon). CCC, CC SAR, LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Arisaema atrorubens: see A. triphyllum ssp. triphyllum.
• Arisaema stewardsonii: see A. triphyllum ssp. stewardsonii.
• Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-pulpit), common. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Arisaema triphyllum ssp. stewardsonii (Jack-in-the-pulpit). P&M (as Arisaema stewardsonii), PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Arisaema triphyllum ssp. triphyllum (Jack-in-the-pulpit). P&M (as Arisaema atrorubens), PLANTS).
• Aristida basiramea (forked threeawn grass). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Aristida longespica (slimspike threeawn grass). PLANTS.
• Aristida longespica var. geniculata (three-awn). CC rare.
• Aristida longespica var. longespica (three-awn). CC rare.
• Aristida purpurascens (arrow feather three-awn grass). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Arnoglossum plantagineum (tuberous Indian plantain). CC SAR, LBJ, P&M (as Cacalia tuberosa), PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Artemisia campestris (field sagewort). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Artemisia campestris ssp. borealis (field sagewort). LBJ.
• Artemisia campestris ssp. caudata (field sagewort). LBJ, P&M (as Artemisia caudata), PLANTS.
• Artemisia caudata: see A. campestris ssp. caudata.
• Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Artemisia frigida (prairie sagewort). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Artemisia ludoviciana (Louisiana artemisia). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asaram canadense (wild ginger), common. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asclepias exaltata (poke milkweed). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asclepias hirtella (tall green milkweed). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed). LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS, PtS. More info: DG.
• Asclepias purpurescens (purple milkweed). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asclepias quadrifolia (four-leaved milkweed). CC rare, LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asclepias sullivantii (Sullivant's milkweed). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, P&M, PLANTS.
• Asclepias syrica (common milkweed). LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG, Leckie.
• Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed). CCC, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS, PtS. More info: DG.
• Aslepias variegata (white milkweed). CC rare, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asclepias verticillata (whorled milkweed). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asclepias viridiflora (green milkweed). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Asimina triloba (pawpaw). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asplenium platyneuron (ebony spleenwort). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asplenium rhizophyllum (walking fern). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asplenium ruta-muraria (wallrue). PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asplenium scolopendrium (hart's-tongue fern). NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asplenium scolopendrium var. americanum (American hart's-tongue fern). CC SAR, LBJ.
• Asplenium trichomanes (maidenhair spleenwort). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Asplenium trichomanes-ramosum (bright green spleenwort). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Aster acuminata: see Oclemena acuminata.
• Aster ericoides: see Symphyotrichum ericoides.
• Aster laevis: see Symphyotrichum laeve.
• Aster lateriflorus: see Symphyotrichum lateriflorum.
• Aster macrophyllus: see Eurybia macrophylla.
• Aster nemoralis: see Oclemena nemoralis.
• Aster novae-angliae: see Symphyotrichum novae-angliae.
• Aster oolentangiensis: see Symphyotrichum oolentangiense.
• Aster pilosus: see Symphyotrichum pilosum var. pilosum.
• Aster ptarmicoides: see Oligoneuron album.
• Aster puniceus: see Symphyotrichum puniceum.
• Aster radula: see Eurybia radula.
• Aster umbellatus: see Doellingeria umbellata var. umbellata.
• Aster urophyllus: see Symphyotrichum urophyllum.
• Astragalus canadensis (Canadian milkvetch). LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Astragalus neglectus (Cooper's milkvetch). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Athyrium felix-femina (common ladyfern), common. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Athyrium felix-femina ssp. angustum (sub-arctic ladyfern). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Athyrium thelypterioides: see Deparia acrostichoides.
• Atriplex patula var. hastata: see A. prostrata.
• Atriplex prostrata (triangle orache), rare. Banville (as A. patula var. hastata. PLANTS.
• Aureolaria flava (yellow false-foxglove). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Aureolaria pedicularia (fernleaf yellow false-foxglove). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Aureolaria pedicularia var. pedicularia (fernleaf yellow false foxglove, fern-leaved false frogbit). P&M (as Gerardia pedicularia), PLANTS.
• Aureolaria virginica (downy false-foxglove). CC rare, LBJ, PLANTS.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Z

References

• Me: I've seen it myself, in the wild in Toronto.
• Banville: Banville, Diana. Vascular Plants of Metropolitan Toronto 2nd ed. Toronto: Toronto Field Naturalists, 1994. (Available by mail order from TFN.)
• CCC: Carolinian Canada Coalition's list of Representative Carolinian Species.
• CC rare: Carolinian Canada Coalitions's list of Carolinian Zone Rare Species
• CC SAR: Carolinian Canada Coalition's list Carolinian Species at Risk
• LBJ: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
• NANPS: North American Native Plant Society
• P&M: Peterson, Roger Tory and Margaret McKenny. A field guide to wildflowers: Northeastern and northcentral North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1968.
• PLANTS: United States Department of Agriculture PLANTS Database
• PtS: Planting the Seed: A Guide to Establishing Prairie and Meadow Communities in Southern Ontario

Info

• Chester: Bronwyn Chester at Spacing Montréal
• DG: Dave's Garden
• Leckie: The Marvelous in Nature blog by Seabrooke Leckie

Toronto native plants starting with B: Baptisia tinctoria to Bulbostylis capillaris

(Last updated August 8, 2009.)

It's exciting to see how many possibilities for native plant garderners there are in Toronto (something you'd never guess from the average Toronto plant seller, unfortunately.) I've put a link to the relevant entries in this blog where available. I have tried to be as accurate as possible but I'm no expert so any corrections to this list would be appreciated!

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Z

B

• Baptisia tinctoria (yellow wild indigo). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Bartonia paniculata (twining screwstem). PLANTS.
• Bartonia paniculata ssp. paniculata (twining screwstem). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Bartonia virginica (yellow screwstem). CC rare, P&M, PLANTS.
• Berula erecta (cutleaf water parsnip). P&M (as Berula pusilla), PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Betula alleghaniensis (yellow birch). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: Leckie.
• Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis (yellow birch), common. Banville (as B. lutea), LBJ, PLANTS.
• Betula glandulosa (resin birch). PLANTS.
• Betula lenta (sweet birch, cherry birch). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Betula lutea: see B. alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis.
• Betula minor (dwarf white birch). PLANTS.
• Betula papyrifera (paper birch), common. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG, Leckie.
• Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia (mountain paper birch). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Betula papyrifera var. papyrifera (paper birch). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Betula populifolia (grey birch). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Betula pumila (bog birch). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS.
• Betula pumila var. glandulifera (bog birch). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Betula x purpusii. PLANTS.
• Bidens beckii (Beck's water marigold). P&M (as Megalodonta beckii), PLANTS.
• Bidens cernua (bur-marigold). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Bidens connata (swamp beggartick) LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Bidens coronata (tickseed-sunflower, southern tickseed) CCC, CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS.
• Bidens discoidea (swamp beggartick). CC rare, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Bidens frondosa (devil's beggartick): LBJ, PLANTS, PtS. More info: DG.
• Bidens hyperborea (estuary beggartick). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Bidens hyperborea var. hyperborea (estuary beggartick). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Bidens tripartita (three-lobed beggartick). PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Bidens vulgata (big devil's beggartick). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Blephilia ciliata (downy wood-mint). CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Blephilia hirsuta (hairy wood-mint). CC rare, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS.
• Boehmeria cylindrica (false nettle), rare. Banville, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Botrychium campestre (Iowa moonwort). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Botrychium dissectum (cutleaf grapefern). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Botrychium lanceolatum (lance-leaved grapefern). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Botrychium lunaria (common moonwort). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Botrychium matricariifolium (matricary grapefern), extirpated. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Botrychium minganense (Mingan moonwort). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Botrychium multifidum (leathery grapefern). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Botrychium oneidense (bluntlobe grapefern). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Botrychium rugulosum (rugulose grapefern). CC rare, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Botrychium simplex (little grapefern). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Botrychium virginianum (rattlesnake fern), rare. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Bouteloua curtipendula (side oats gramma). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Bouteloua gracilis (blue gramma). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Brasenia schreberi (watershield). P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Bromus ciliatus (fringed brome grass), uncommon. Banville, CCC, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS.
• Bromus inermis (smooth brome). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Bromus kalmii (prairie brome). NANPS, PLANTS, PtS.
• Bromus latiglumis (earlyleaf brome), uncommon. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Bryoandersonia illecebra (spoon-leaved moss). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Buchnera americana (bluehearts). CCC, CC SAR, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Bulbostylis capillaris (densetuft hairsedge). CC rare, PLANTS.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Z

References

• Me: I've seen it myself, in the wild in Toronto.
• Banville: Banville, Diana. Vascular Plants of Metropolitan Toronto 2nd ed. Toronto: Toronto Field Naturalists, 1994. (Available by mail order from TFN.)
• CCC: Carolinian Canada Coalition's list of Representative Carolinian Species.
• CC rare: Carolinian Canada Coalitions's list of Carolinian Zone Rare Species
• CC SAR: Carolinian Canada Coalition's list Carolinian Species at Risk
• LBJ: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
• NANPS: North American Native Plant Society
• P&M: Peterson, Roger Tory and Margaret McKenny. A field guide to wildflowers: Northeastern and northcentral North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1968.
• PLANTS: United States Department of Agriculture PLANTS Database
• PtS: Planting the Seed: A Guide to Establishing Prairie and Meadow Communities in Southern Ontario

Info

• DG: Dave's Garden.
• Leckie: The Marvelous in Nature blog by Seabrooke Leckie

Toronto native plants starting with E: Echinacea pallida to Euthamia gymnospermoides

Above: Erigeron philadelphicus (Philadelphia fleabane).

(Updated August 6, 2009).

It's exciting to see how many possibilities for native plant garderners there are in Toronto (something you'd never guess from the average Toronto plant seller, unfortunately.) I've put a link to the relevant entries in this blog where available. I have tried to be as accurate as possible but I'm no expert so any corrections to this list would be appreciated!

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Z

E

• Echinacea pallida (pale purple coneflower). CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Echinochloa microstachya: see E. muricata var. microstachya.
• Echinochloa muricata (rough barnyard grass). PLANTS.
• Echinochloa muricata var. microstachya (small spiked barnyard grass), common. Banville (as E. microstachya), PLANTS.
• Echinochloa walteri (Walter's barnyard grass, coast cockspur grass). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Echinocystis lobata (wild cucumber). P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Eclipta prostrata (false daisy). CC rare, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Eleocharis acicularis (needle spikerush), rare. Banville, PLANTS.
• Eleocharis compressa (flatstem spikerush). PLANTS.
• Eleocharis elliptica (elliptic spikerush), rare. Banville (as E. tenuis var. borealis), PLANTS.
• Eleocharis engelmannii (Engelmann's spikerush). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Eleocharis equisetoides (horsetail spikerush). CC SAR, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Eleocharis erythropoda (bald spikerush), uncommon. Banville, PLANTS.
• Eleocharis geniculata (Canada spikesedge, spikerush). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Eleocharis intermedia (matted spikerush). PLANTS.
• Eleocharis obtusa (blunt spikerush). NANPS, PLANTS, PtS.
• Eleocharis olivacea (bright green spikerush). PLANTS.
• Eleocharis ovata (ovate spikerush), rare. Banville, PLANTS.
• Eleocharis palustris (marsh spikerush, common spikerush), rare. Banville, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Eleocharis parvula (dwarf spikerush). PLANTS.
• Eleocharis pauciflora: see E. quinqueflora.
• Eleocharis quadrangulata (squarestem spikerush). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Eleocharis quinqueflora (fewflower spikerush), rare. Banville (as E. pauciflora, PLANTS.
• Eleocharis robbinsii (Robbins' spikerush). PLANTS.
• Eleocharis rostellata (beaked spikerush). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Eleocharis tenuis var. borealis: see E. elliptica.
• Elodea canadensis (Canada waterweed), rare. Banville (as Anacharis canadensis), LBJ, PLANTS.
• Elodea nuttallii (western waterweed). PLANTS.
• Elymus canadensis (Canada wild rye), uncommon. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS, PtS. More info: DG.
• Elymus x ebingeri (). PLANTS.
• Elymus glaucus (blue wild rye). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Elymus hystrix (eastern bottlebrush grass), common. Banville, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS, PtS.
• Elymus riparius (riverbank wild rye). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS.
• Elymus submuticus (Virginia wild rye). CC rare (as E. virginicus var. jenkinsii), PLANTS.
• Elymus trachycaulus (slender wheatgrass), rare. Banville (as Agropyron trachycaulum), NANPS, PLANTS.
• Elymus villosus (hairy wild rye). NANPS, PLANTS.
• Elymus virginicus (Virginia wild rye), rare. Banville, NANPS, PLANTS.
• Elymus virginicus var. virgnicus (Virginia wild rye). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Elymus weigandii (Weigand's wild rye) LBJ, PLANTS.
• Empetrum nigrum (black crowberry). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum (black crowberry). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Enemion biternatum (eastern false rue anemone). CCC, CC SAR, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Epifagus virginiana (beechdrops). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS.
• Epigaea repens (trailing arbutus). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Epilobium angustifolium: see Chamerion angustifolium ssp. angustifolium.
• Epilobium ciliatum (fringed willowherb). PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Epilobium ciliatum ssp. glandulosum (fringed willowherb). P&M (as E. glandulosum), PLANTS.
• Epilobium coloratum (purple-leaved willow-herb). P&M, PLANTS.
• Epilobium hornemannii (Horenmann's willowherb). PLANTS.
• Epilobium leptophyllum (bog willowherb). PLANTS.
• Epilobium palustre (marsh willowherb). PLANTS.
• Epilobium strictum (downy willow-herb). P&M, PLANTS.
• Equisetum arvense (field horsetail), common. Me (East York, Wilket Creek Park), Banville, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Equisetum x ferrissii (Ferriss' horsetail). PLANTS.
• Equisetum fluviatile (water horsetail), rare. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Equisetum hyemale (scouring rush), common. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Equisetum laevigatum (smooth horsetail). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Equisetum x litorale (littoral horsetail, shore horsetail). PLANTS.
• Equisetum x nelsonii (Nelson's horsetail), rare. Banville, PLANTS.
• Equisetum palustre (marsh horsetail), rare. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Equisetum pratense (meadow horsetail), uncommon. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Equisetum scirpoides (dwarf scouring rush), rare. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Equisetum sylvaticum (woodland horsetail), rare. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Equisetum variegatum (variegated horsetail), uncommon. Banville, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Eragrostis capillaris (tiny lovegrass, lace grass). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Eragrostis hypnoides (teal lovegrass). PLANTS.
• Eragrostis pectinacea (tufted lovegrass), rare. Banville, PLANTS.
• Eragrostis pilosa (Indian love grass). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Eragrostis spectabilis (purple love grass). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Erechtites hieraciifolia (pilewort, American burnweed). P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Erechtites hieraciifolia var. hieraciifolia (American burnweed). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Erigenia bulbosa (harbinger-of-spring). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Erigeron annuus (eastern daisy fleabane). Me (East York), LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Erigeron canadensis: see Conyza canadensis.
• Erigeron hyssopifolius (hyssopleaf fleabane). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Erigeron philadelphicus (Philadelphia fleabane). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus (Philadelphia fleabane). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Erigeron philadelphicus var. provancheri (Philadelphia fleabane). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Erigeron pulchellus (Robin's plantain). LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Erigeron strigosus (prairie fleabane). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS.
• Erigeron strigosus var. septentriolnalis (prairie fleabane). PLANTS.
• Erigeron strigosus var. strigosus (prairie fleabane). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Eriocaulon aquaticum (common pipewort, sevenangle pipewort). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Eriophorum angustifolium (tall cottongrass). PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Eriophorum gracile (slender cotton grass). NANPS, PLANTS.
• Eriophorum tenellum (fewnerved cottongrass). PLANTS.
• Eriophorum vaginatum (tussock cottongrass). PLANTS.
• Eriophorum virginicum (tawny cottongrass). LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Eriophorum viridicarinatum (thinleaf cottonsedge), rare. Banville, PLANTS.
• Erysimum inconspicuum (shy wallflower). LBJ, PLANTS.
• Erythronium albidum (white trout-lily, white fawnlily), rare. Banville, CCC, LBJ, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Erythronium americanum (trout-lily, dogtooth violet), common. Me (Wilket Creek Park), Banville, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Euonymus atropurpureus (burning bush). CCC, CC rare, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Euonymus obovatus (running strawberry bush). NANPS, PLANTS.
• Eupatoriadelphus maculatus (spotted Joe Pye weed, spotted trumpetweed). LBJ, NANPS (as Eupatorium maculatum), P&M (as Eupatorium maculatum), PLANTS, PtS (as Eupatorium maculatum). More info: DG.
• Eupatorium altissimum (tall boneset, tall thoroughwort). CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Eupatorium coelestinum: see Conoclinium coelestinum.
• Eupatorium maculatum: see Eupatoriadelphus maculatus.
• Eupatorium perfoliatum (common boneset). LBJ, P&M, PLANTS, PtS. More info: DG.
• Eupatorium perfoliatum var. perfoliatum (common boneset). LBJ, NANPS, PLANTS.
• Eupatorium purpureum (sweet Joe Pye weed). CCC, CC rare, LBJ, NANPS, P&M, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Eupatorium rugosum: see Ageratina altissima var. altissima.
• Euphorbia commutata (tinted woodland spurge). CC rare, PLANTS.
• Euphorbia spathulata (warty spurge, blunt-leaved spurge, wolf's milk spurge). CC rare (as E. obtusata), PLANTS.
• Eurybia divaricata (white wood aster). CC SAR, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Eurybia macrophylla (bigleaf aster). LBJ, NANPS, P&M (as Aster macrophyllus), PLANTS. More info: DG.
• Eurybia radula (rough-leaved aster). LBJ, P&M (as Aster radula), PLANTS.
• Eurybia schreberi (Schreber's wood aster). CC rare, LBJ, PLANTS.
• Euthamia caroliniana (slender goldentop). LBJ.
• Euthamia graminifolia (flat-top goldentop). LBJ, PLANTS, PtS. More info: DG.
• Euthamia graminifolia var. graminifolia (flat-top goldentop). LBJ, NANPS (as Solidago graminifolia), P&M (as S. graminifolia), PLANTS.
• Euthamia gymnospermoides (viscid bushy goldentop, Texas goldentop). CC rare, LBJ, PLANTS. More info: DG.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Z

References

• Me: I've seen it myself, in the wild in Toronto.
• Banville: Banville, Diana. Vascular Plants of Metropolitan Toronto 2nd ed.. Toronto: Toronto Field Naturalists, 1994. (Available by mail order from TFN.)
• CCC: Carolinian Canada Coalition's list of Representative Carolinian Species.
• CC rare: Carolinian Canada Coalitions's list of Carolinian Zone Rare Species
• CC SAR: Carolinian Canada Coalition's list Carolinian Species at Risk
• LBJ: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
• NANPS: North American Native Plant Society
• P&M: Peterson, Roger Tory and Margaret McKenny. A field guide to wildflowers: Northeastern and northcentral North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1968.
• PLANTS: United States Department of Agriculture PLANTS Database
• PtS: Planting the Seed (PDF): A Guide to Establishing Prairie and Meadow Communities in Southern Ontario

Info

• DG: Dave's Garden