Hi kathryn,
I have heard that the Euodia or Evodia Muelleri (sp?) is a good tree for butterfly's. I have one and it is a sparse small tree, has strange seed pods and flowers that flower in the centre of the tree instead of the outside.
I don't know it's common name unfortunately.
I have also heard that it is an aussie native, though I'm not sure of that fact.
Cheers, Mel...

Hi again,
Here's a link that may be useful. Don't pay attention to the climate indicator.
http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/e-mue.html
Cheers, Mel...

Thanks for that info
very interesting
It's got a lovely flower too
Kathryn

Buddlieas attract butterflies. I have 3 buddlieas, a mauve, a purple, and a white and they always have butterflies on them when they are in flower. Helene

Hi Kathryn,

It might be worth checking your local library for "Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden" by Densey Clyne. In this book, she gives a description of different native butterflies, their distribution in Australia and a list of food plants for caterpillars. The link below also contains a list of food plants for different caterpillars.

You'll never be short of butterflies if you grow your own!

Happy gardening,
Kath.

Here is a link that might be useful: Butterfly Larvae of Australia

Hello there!
I have seeds to the "Swan Plant" that is the preferred plant the Wanderer (akak 'Monarch' butterfly) chooses to lay it's eggs on. Botanic name is Ascelpsia physocarpa. Super easy to germinate and once you have one plant - you'll always have seeds spare! I enjoy watching the lifecycle of the Wanderers as they go about their lives.
Email me with your snail mail addy and I will send some to you for free as I have LOTS of seeds! God bless and bye. gardenscribe7

Here is a link that might be useful: Swan Plant info

The tree first mentioned Evodia (should be Evodiella) muelleri is now called Melicope rubra (Little Evodia). Plants like this and Buddlea are only a nectar supply for butterflies that are in the area. If you really want to attract butterflies you need to grow the host plants that their larva feed on.

The Wanderer, by the way, is not a native butterfly and only feeds on introduced plants (Milk Weeds).

If you really want to know all about butterfly host plants and attracting butterflies to your garden you should get the "A Garden on the Wing" CD Rom.

Here is a link that might be useful: Rainforest Magic

Thank you
Kathryn

Judging by what the caterpillars liked most this year, it was the impatiens and some small-flowered pavonias (like mini hibiscus). Of the latter I can send seeds if you like, they were absolute looper heaven various caterpillars stripping the things bare, fortunately they can be cut back and make good re-growth and are only smallish shrubs. Vines I find a great target are stephanotis and mandevillia, always finding larvae chomping away on those

I am looking more for natives and I don't think impatiens are natives. A Permaculture person told me some time back they are weeds.
I'd like to try the pavonias seeds
Kathryn
PO box 885
Buderim qld 4556

Thank you so much
Kathryn

Kathryn, check out Fairhill native nursery at Yandina. They can advise you on the appropriate plants in your area, and there's a fair chance you'll be able to see it growing, in their display gardens. I know they have the Birdwing butterfly vine.

Pam

Orchard Swallowtails like citrus trees - I find them on my citrus all the time. They're the larvae that look like bird poop (literally). Beautiful butterflies.