Habitat: In diverse, wet to dry, open to forested, natural to disturbed habitats. Common throughout Virginia
Wildlife value: The flowers attract long-tongued and short-tongued bees, including bumblebees and Halictid bees. Beetles and Syrphid flies may also visit the flowers, but they are less effective pollinators. The reward of these insects is the abundant pollen, as the flowers produce no nectar. The caterpillars of the butterfly Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus) reportedly eat the seed capsules, while the caterpillars of the moth Gray Half-Spot (Nedra ramosula) feed on the foliage. Mammalian herbivores usually don't consume this plant
High Value Generalist
Earth Sangha lists this plant as a "High Value Generalist" because it is easy to grow, occurs across a wide range of habitats and is known to be of high value to wildlife
My Native Garden
Put together a printable/downloadable list of plants that you have in your garden.