On40Acres

Why Locally-Native Plants? (Closing)

Food web diagram: a Coast Live Oak supports five caterpillar species which support five bird species and other wildlife; California Buckwheat supports native bees and butterflies.
Native plants are the foundation of urban biodiversity.

Native bees emerge when native flowers bloom. Butterflies lay eggs on the host plants their caterpillars can eat. Flower shape, scent, chemistry, and bloom timing evolved together.

Local insects depend on local plants — and birds depend on those insects.