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 Whiteleaf Indian Mallow, White-leaf Indian-mallow, Rio Grande Abutilon Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Abutilon trisulcatum Anglestem Indian Mallow Perennial Subshrub, 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 Dry
Amyris texana Texas Torchwood, Chapotillo 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, Side-cluster Milkweed, Longhorn Milkweed, Primrose Milkweed, Lindheimer's Milkweed Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Baccharis neglecta False Willow, Jara Dulce, Poverty Weed, Roosevelt Weed Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Bernardia myricifolia Mouse's Eye, Mouse Ears 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 Perennial Subshrub
Castela erecta Goatbush Perennial Shrub, Tree
Celtis ehrenbergiana Desert Hackberry, Spiny Hackberry, Shiny Hackberry, Granjeno, Huasteco Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Celtis laevigata Sugar Hackberry, Texas Sugarberry, Sugarberry, Southern Hackberry, Lowland Hackberry, Hackberry, Palo Blanco Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Cephalanthus salicifolius Mexican Buttonbush Perennial Shrub, Tree Sun, Part-shade
Chloracantha spinosa Spiny Chloracantha, Mexican Devil-weed Perennial Herb
Chromolaena odorata Blue Mistflower, Fragrant Mistflower, Blue Boneset, Fragrant Boneset, Jack In The Bush, Crucita, Siam Weed, Common Flossflower, Christmas Bush, Devilweed Perennial Subshrub 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 Old Man's Beard, Drummond's Clematis, Texas Virgin's Bower, Goat's Beard Perennial Vine Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Condalia hookeri Bluewood Condalia, Brasil, Brasilwood, Bluewood, Logwood, Purple Haw, Capul Negro 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, Texas Wild Olive, Anacahuita, Anacahuite Perennial Shrub, Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Coursetia axillaris Texas Babybonnets Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Croton cortesianus Cortez's Croton Perennial Shrub
Croton humilis Pepperbush Perennial Shrub Part-shade
Croton incanus Torrey's Croton Perennial Shrub Part-shade
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 Prostrate Bundleflower, Wild Tantan, Slender Mimosa 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, Black-bead Ebony, Ebony Ape's-earring, 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, Anacahuita, Knockaway, Knackaway, Sandpaper Tree, Manzanita, Manzanillo, Tlalahuacate 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, Palo Dulce Perennial Shrub Sun Dry
Ferocactus hamatacanthus var. sinuatus Turk's-head Cactus Perennial Cactus/Succulent
Fleischmannia incarnata Pink Thoroughwort Perennial Herb
Florestina tripteris Sticky Florestina Annual Herb
Forestiera angustifolia Narrow-leaf Forestiera, Tanglewood, Desert Olive, Texas Swamp-privet, Panalero, Elbow Bush Perennial Tree Sun Dry
Forestiera pubescens Elbowbush, Stretchberry, Spring Herald, Desert Olive, Tanglewood, Devil's Elbow, Spring Goldenglow, New Mexico Privet, Texas Forsythia Perennial Shrub Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Funastrum cynanchoides Fringed Twinevine, Climbing Milkweed Vine, Twine-vine Perennial Vine Part-shade Dry
Glandularia bipinnatifida Prairie Verbena, Purple Prairie Verbena, Dakota Vervain, Dakota Mock Vervain, Moradilla, Alfombrilla 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
Guaiacum angustifolium Texas Lignum-vitae, Soapbush, Guayacan Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Havardia pallens Tenaza, Huajillo, Ape's Ear-ring Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Helianthus annuus Common Sunflower, Annual Sunflower Annual Herb Sun Dry
Helietta parvifolia Baretta 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, Cola De Gama 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 pacifica Runyon's Water-willow Perennial Subshrub Sun, Part-shade Moist
Justicia pilosella Hairy Tube-tongue, Gregg's Tube-tongue, False Honeysuckle Perennial Herb Part-shade Moist, Dry
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 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, Mexican Leadtree, Great Leucaena, Tepeguaje Perennial Tree Part-shade Moist
Leucophyllum frutescens Cenizo, Purple Sage, Texas Ranger, Texas Barometer Bush, Texas Silverleaf, Texas Sage, Silverleaf 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 Barbados Cherry, Wild Crapemyrtle, Acerola, Manzanita Perennial Shrub Part-shade Dry
Malvastrum americanum Indian Valley False Mallow Annual, Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii Turk's Cap, Drummond's Turk's Cap, Drummond Turk's Cap, Wax Mallow, Drummond's Wax Mallow, Drummond Wax Mallow, Red Mallow, Texas Mallow, Mexican Apple, Sleeping Hibiscus, Bleeding Hearts, Manzanita Perennial Shrub Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Mandevilla lanuginosa Plateau Rocktrumpet Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Manfreda longiflora Longflower Tuberose, Amole De Rã­O, Runyon's Huaco Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Manfreda variegata Mottled Tuberose, Huaco, 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, Purple Horsemint, Lemon Mint, Plains Horsemint, Lemon Horsemint, Horsemint, Purple Lemon Mint Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Dry
Morus rubra Red Mulberry, Moral Perennial Tree Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Palafoxia hookeriana Sand Palafox, Showy 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 Paloverde, Jerusalem Thorn, Horsebean, Lluvia De Oro Perennial Tree Sun Moist, Dry
Parkinsonia texana Texas Paloverde, Border Paloverde, Retama China Perennial Shrub, Tree Sun Dry
Passiflora foetida Corona De Cristo, Fetid Passionflower Perennial Vine Sun, Part-shade Dry
Passiflora suberosa Corkstem Passionflower Perennial Herb, Vine Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Passiflora tenuiloba Birdwing Passionflower, Slender-lobe Passionflower, Spread Lobe Passionflower, Bird Wing 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 Redwhisker Clammyweed, Clammyweed Annual Herb
Portulaca pilosa Kiss Me Quick, Chisme Annual Herb Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Prosopis glandulosa Honey Mesquite, Glandular Mesquite, Algarroba Perennial Tree Sun Dry
Quercus fusiformis Escarpment Live Oak, Plateau Live Oak, Hill Country Live Oak, Texas Live Oak, Scrub Live Oak, Plateau Oak, Encino Molino, Tesmoli Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Quercus lobata Valley Oak Perennial Tree Sun
Randia rhagocarpa Crucillo Perennial Shrub
Ratibida columnifera Mexican Hat, Red-spike Mexican Hat, Upright Prairie Coneflower, Prairie Coneflower, Long-headed Coneflower, Thimbleflower Perennial Herb Sun Moist, Dry
Rivina humilis Pigeonberry, Rouge Plant, Baby-peppers, Bloodberry Perennial Herb Part-shade Moist
Ruellia nudiflora Violet Ruellia, Common Wild Petunia, Violet Wild Petunia, Wild Petunia, Hierba De La Calentura Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Ruellia occidentalis Western Wild Petunia Perennial Herb Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Sabal mexicana Texas Palm, Texas Palmetto, Mexican Palm, Mexican Palmetto, Rio Grande Palmetto, Victoria Palmetto, Palma De Micharos, Apachite Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Salix nigra Black Willow, Gulf Black Willow, Swamp Willow, Sauz 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, Red Sage, Indian Fire Annual, Perennial Herb Sun, Shade, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii Western Soapberry, Soapberry, Wild China Tree, Wild Chinaberry, Indian Soap Plant, Jaboncillo Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Moist, Dry
Senegalia berlandieri Guajillo, Berlandier Acacia, Berlandier's Acacia, Round-flowered Catclaw, Roundflower Catclaw, Mimosa Catclaw, Thornless Catclaw, Huajilla Perennial Tree Sun, Part-shade Dry
Senegalia greggii Gregg Acacia, Gregg's Acacia, Gregg Catclaw Acacia, Gregg's Catclaw Acacia, Gregg Catclaw, Gregg's Catclaw, Texas Catclaw Acacia, Texas Catclaw, Long-flowered Catclaw Acacia, Longflower Catclaw Acacia, Long-flowered Catclaw, Longflower Catclaw, Catclaw Acacia, Catclaw, Devil's Claw, Uña De Gato Perennial Tree Sun 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, Bull Nettle Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Solanum erianthum Potatotree, Potato Tree 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, Blue Mistflower Perennial Shrub, Vine
Tecoma stans Yellow Bells, Yellowbells, Esperanza, Yellow Trumpetbush, Yellow Trumpetflower, Trumpetbush, Trumpetflower, Yellow Elder, Hardy Yellow Trumpet, Yellow Trumpet Bush Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade Dry
Thamnosma texana Texas Desert-rue, Dutchman's Breeches, Rue Of The Mountains, Ruda Del Monte Perennial Herb Sun Dry
Thymophylla pentachaeta Parralena, Fiveneedle Pricklyleaf, Five-needle Fetid Marigold Perennial Herb, Subshrub
Thymophylla tenuiloba Bristleleaf Pricklyleaf Annual Herb
Turnera diffusa Damiana Perennial Subshrub, Shrub
Vachellia farnesiana Huisache, Texas Huisache, Sweet Acacia, Perfume Acacia, Mealy Acacia, Mealy Wattle, Cassie Perennial Tree Sun Dry
Vachellia rigidula Blackbrush Acacia, Blackbrush, Chaparro Prieto, Gavia Perennial Tree Part-shade Dry
Vachellia schaffneri Schaffner's Wattle, Twisted Acacia Perennial Shrub
Verbena halei Texas Vervain, Slender Verbena, Texas Verbena, Slender 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 Deer Pea Vetch, Louisiana Vetch Annual Herb
Viguiera stenoloba Skeleton-leaf Goldeneye, Resinbush Perennial Shrub Sun, Part-shade 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, Shrubby Zinnia, Southern Zinnia Perennial Herb Sun Dry