Butterflies are in trouble. You can help them!

Posted on April 6, 2025 by Mary Anne Borge

Butterflyweed with Monarch, Great Spangled Fritillary, and Pearl Crescent

A recent study published in the journal Science revealed that butterfly populations in the United States declined 22% between 2000 and 2020. The drop in the northeastern United States was even worse: 32.6%. Some of the data comes from butterfly counts sponsored by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). If you’ve participated in a NABA-sponsored butterfly count, you contributed data to this study.

Question Mark, one of the earliest butterflies to emerge in the spring, and Great Spangled Fritillary both declined nationwide by about 55%. The American Lady population declined nationwide by 58%, Red Admiral by 44%.

Great Spangled Fritillary nectaring from Wild Bergamot (*Monarda fistulosa*)

American Lady on goldenrod (*Solidago* sp.)

Red Admiral drinking nectar from Ninebark (*Physocarpus opulifolius*)

While these numbers are pretty depressing, a deep dive into the data yields some interesting findings that give me hope that we humans can take action to make a positive difference for butterflies, bees, birds, all the other wildlife with which we share our space, and even ourselves.

While the nationwide numbers for Monarchs are inconclusive for the period covered by the study, Monarchs increased by 79% in the northeast, and by 47% in the southeast. It seems likely that the recent emphasis on planting the Monarch’s required caterpillar food, milkweed, is a big factor in their improving numbers in the east. Offering nectar for butterflies is necessary, but it’s not enough for a species’ survival. Food for their caterpillars is also essential, along with some key habitat elements.

Monarch nectaring on New York Ironweed (*Vernonia noveboracensis*)

Some species whose territory extends through both southern and northern latitudes have declining or stable southern populations, but increases in the northern parts of their range. This is likely a reflection of the warming effects of climate change. Sleepy Orange, a butterfly that just 20 years ago was thought not to be able to survive winters further north than North Carolina, increased its population in the northeast by 475%, and in the Midwest by 1235%! In the southeast, their population seems to be stable, and may be increasing slightly. Giant Swallowtails have increased by 1351% in the northeast and 57% in the Midwest, while decreasing by 25% in the southeast and 48% in the southwest. This territory shift is only possible because the range of their caterpillar food extends into these northern regions, Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa) and a few related plants for Sleepy Orange, and Citrus family members like Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata) and Northern Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum Americanum) for Giant Swallowtails.

Sleepy Orange in Pennsylvania on a caterpillar food plant, Wild Senna (*Senna hebecarpa*)

Giant Swallowtail caterpillar on Northern Prickly Ash (*Zanthoxylum americanum*)

Ready for more depressing statistics? More than 40% of insect populations worldwide are declining. Bird populations have declined almost 30% in the past 50 years. Insects are an important source of food for birds and other animals, so their decline has cascading effects.

The study postulates that the reasons for the steep decline in butterflies is a combination of pesticide usage, habitat loss, and climate change.

The good news is that each of us can take action to help reverse these trends. Many of these simple steps require us to do less. Here’s what you can do to help:

• Use plants that are native to your region. Local wildlife can’t survive without them. Native plants are adapted to their local soils, thrive without fertilizer, and will require little or no watering once established.

• Provide nectar sources throughout the growing season for adult butterflies and other pollinators. Make sure you also offer the plants butterflies need to feed their caterpillars. Like Monarchs, most butterfly species specialize on a few closely related plants as their caterpillar food, almost always native plants. Without food for caterpillars, the species will not survive. Many bee species also specialize on the plants on which they can feed.

• Replace as much of your lawn as possible with native plants. What remains, mow at least three inches high.

• Don’t use pesticides or herbicides! These poisons are likely a big contributor to the decline of butterflies, bees, other insects, and even birds. They have also been linked to cancer in dogs. What are they doing to your water supply, and the kids that play on the lawn? Let the dandelions, clover, violets, spring beauty and other flowering plants diversify your lawn.

• Leave the fallen leaves in your flower beds, rake excess leaves from your lawn into a brush pile, or pile them up to smother a part of your lawn to make a new planting bed. The leaves are habitat for overwintering butterflies, bees, and other insects, and provide food for birds.

• Leave spent perennials standing in your garden. They provide habitat for insects, and food for birds.

• Know and remove invasive plants, including butterfly bush.

Fallen leaves are habitat, and the best mulch you can have

Dark-eyed Junco eating seeds from Purple Giant Hyssop (*Agastache scrophulariifolia*). Leaving spent perennials in your habitat provides shelter for insects, food for birds.

The remarkable thing is that these same steps will directly help people. We rely on insects to pollinate our food, aerate the soil, break down debris, feed other animals, and help keep other insects in check. These actions (and inactions!) will save you money, energy, time, and reduce your fossil fuel and water usage. Plants help mitigate the effects of climate change by removing pollutants from the air and water, reducing air temperatures, and enabling the ground to absorb more stormwater, reducing runoff, erosion, and flooding. Studies also show that exposure to nature improves human health in many ways.

Butterflies and other wildlife need our help. In helping them, we’re helping ourselves.

What we do on our own property and public spaces matters.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtails on Joe-pye-weed (*Eutrochium purpureum*)

Resources to Help You Learn More

To read the study, click here.

To learn more about the butterflies you can expect to see in your area and their required caterpillar food, get a field guide to butterflies for your region, or try these resources:

National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder
Butterflies and Moths of North America

To learn more about plants that are native to your region, check the website of your local Native Plant Society. The North American Native Plant Society has compiled a list for most states and Canadian provinces. Many state and provincial societies offer classes or other programs themselves, and they can often point you to additional sources of regionally appropriate in-person and/or online education.

Another good native plant resource: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

These organizations offer in-person and virtual classes, and sell plants native to their region:

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve

Native Plant Trust

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Backyard Natural Wonders – 2022 Highlights

Posted on January 3, 2023 by Mary Anne Borge

I love watching nature documentaries like those narrated by David Attenborough, but even more than that I love watching the natural wonders that surround me every day.

This post features a few of my favorite sightings from 2022.

A pair of Eastern Bluebirds eating berries from American Holly (*Ilex opaca*)

Eastern Bluebirds visit us more often in fall and winter than in spring or summer. In addition to holly berries, they love our heated birdbath, an important source of fresh water in the cold winter months.

I always love it when an animal reminds me of the value of plants or other habitat that humans sometimes question. The male Northern Flicker (Yellow-shafted here in New Jersey) in the photo below did just that while enjoying Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) drupes, a berry-like fruit in the woods across from our house.

Northern flicker eating Poison Ivy (*Toxicodendron radicans*) drupes, a berry-like fruit in the woods across from our house

Bottlebrush Buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) is a constant source of entertainment when it blooms in mid-summer, attracting butterflies, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Hummingbird Moths, and many different bees and other insects to visit for nectar.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail nectaring from Bottlebrush Buckeye (*Aesculus parviflora*)

Dark form female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail drinking nectar from Bottlebrush Buckeye (*Aesculus parviflora*). She’s disguised as a Pipevine Swallowtail in an attempt to look unpalatable to potential predators such as birds.

Hummingbird Clearwing Moth nectaring from Bottlebrush Buckeye (*Aesculus parviflora*). Notice the ant also visiting the flowers, foraging for nectar or other insects to eat.

I understood why large long-tongued bees like Eastern Carpenter Bees visited the long, narrow, tubular flowers, but I puzzled over why so many tiny bees would buzz around the plant, since their anatomy isn’t a good fit for the flower size and shape.

Eastern Carpenter Bee drinking nectar from Bottlebrush Buckeye (*Aesculus parviflora*) flowers

Sweat Bee harvesting pollen from Bottlebrush Buckeye (*Aesculus parviflora*) flower

As I watched more closely, I saw tiny sweat bees (Halictid species) landing on the anthers (the flower part from which pollen is dispensed) to harvest pollen, both for themselves and to bring to their nests to feed their larvae. Bees and some flies may visit flowers for pollen, an important food source for them. Both their athleticism and creative thinking was impressive.

An acrobatic Sweat Bee harvesting pollen to bring to her nest to feed her larvae. Notice the pollen she has packed on her hind legs perfectly matches the color of the pollen she is harvesting.

A Sweat Bee taking an easier approach to harvesting the pollen she needs.

From a different access point, the sweat bees managed to drink nectar from the flowers, but without their bodies touching the flowers’ reproductive parts, so they weren’t likely to be doing the plant any favors in exchange for the nourishment provided.

Sweat Bee attempting to access this flower’s nectar. The bee’s body isn’t touching the flower’s reproductive parts, so it’s unlikely pollination will occur as a result of this transaction.

The starburst arrangement of abundant stamens (male reproductive parts) in the flowers of Shrubby St. Johnswort (Hypericum prolificum) are such a successful attraction to potential pollinators that this plant doesn’t waste any energy producing nectar.

Bumble Bee harvesting pollen from the profusion of anthers on a Shrubby St. Johnswort (*Hypericum prolificum*) flower.

Many bees are attracted to Shrubby St. Johnswort (*Hypericum prolificum*) for the potential of harvesting ample pollen from its flowers.

In late July I found a Striped Hairstreak in our habitat, my first time seeing this species. This butterfly was not only new for me, but it’s rare where I live in New Jersey. What was it doing in my garden? Striped Hairstreaks are typically found at forest edges where there are nectar sources, and with nearby access to its caterpillar foods – oaks, walnuts and hickories. We have nectar sources, and there are suitable caterpillar food trees nearby, so check and check.

My first ever sighting of a Striped Hairstreak, a butterfly that is rare where I live in New Jersey.

Catbirds arrived in spring and stayed through mid-fall. I saw them just about every day, usually in pairs, but sometimes in groups of four or more. Early one afternoon in August I witnessed a young Catbird being tutored on the proper way to take a bath.

Young Catbird delicately swirling the water in our birdbath, with adult supervision.

The adult Catbird coach provides guidance, saying, ‘Really get your whole body into it. Flap your wings! Don’t be afraid.’

The young Catbird gives it another shot.

The young Catbird, “How was that?” The adult supervisor, “Now you’ve got it!”

As Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) and Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) fruit ripened, the Catbirds were joined by migrating birds who passed through, using our habitat as a rest stop.

Catbird in fall, surrounded by ripening Flowering Dogwood (*Cornus florida*) fruit.

A migrating Swainson’s Thrush happily ate Winterberry Holly (*Ilex verticillata*) fruit.

Although surrounded by fruit, this female Purple Finch preferred to eat a caterpillar when visiting our habitat.

My favorite event was a visit from a Sleepy Orange in late September.

Sleepy Orange (winter color form) on Virginia Creeper (*Parthenocissus quinquefolia*) in my New Jersey garden in late September

I love this butterfly for its pioneering ways. It’s mainly a tropical butterfly, but works to extend its range northward, positioning itself for continued survival in these days of climate change. Instead of the southward migration strategy for winter survival employed by many insect and bird species, some Sleepy Oranges fly north in late summer and fall. I imagine them getting together, looking for volunteers to fly north, saying, “See if you can survive the winter in a place where you can find nectar for yourself and a partner, and food for the kids (caterpillars). If you succeed, great! We’ve extended our range. If not, no big deal, we adults will all be dead by late spring anyway.” I’m not sure that’s what really goes on, but I like to pretend it is.

Sleepy Orange (winter color form) on Blue Wood Aster (*Symphyotrichum cordifolium*) in my New Jersey garden in late September

At one time the Sleepy Orange was thought to be unable to survive the winter any farther north than North Carolina. But they are now seen fairly often in central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, and may have established year-round colonies. I first encountered a Sleepy Orange in 2006 at nearby Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, but this was my first sighting of the species in my own habitat. Very exciting! This year I had nectar to offer this thirsty butterfly, but to extend its range it needs the food its caterpillars require, Wild Senna (Senna Hebecarpa, S. marylandica) or Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata). I didn’t have the necessary caterpillar food to offer this year, but we’ll have some Wild Senna by next summer.

Sleepy Orange drinking nectar from Blue Wood Aster (*Symphyotrichum cordifolium*)

Sleepy Orange drinking nectar from Thin-leaved Sunflower (*Helianthus decapetalus*)

No matter what time of year, there is always something interesting to see right outside our doors. I have my desk facing the windows so I can be easily distracted by wildlife. Even on a winter day I may see Box Elder Bugs, Chickadees, Titmice, Carolina Wrens, White-breasted Nuthatches, Juncos, White-throated Sparrows, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Downy Woodpeckers, Robins, Bluejays, Pileated Woodpeckers, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Cedar Waxwings, or Brown Creepers. Some visit for fruit, but many are gleaning insects from the branches, bark and leaves of trees and shrubs, and from the fallen leaves on the ground.

Red-tailed, Sharp-shinned and Coopers Hawks sometimes stop by. On rare occasions, a Bald Eagle does a fly-over.

Want to see more wildlife? Make your own backyard an inviting habitat. Just provide the food birds, butterflies, bees and other animals need in the form of plants native to your region, and do less: leave fallen leaves in your planting beds, leave spent perennials standing, don’t use pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers, reduce your lawn if you can.

You don’t need to have a large property to host and see wildlife. We live in an end unit in a townhouse development with a homeowners’ association (HOA), adjacent to commonly owned natural areas that were preserved when the development was built more than 30 years ago. (Note that we leave the leaves, standing spent perennials, and don’t use pesticides.) Even a planter or a window box can bring wildlife within view.

Why travel thousands of miles away from home to see wildlife, when you can make exciting discoveries in your own backyard?

Chickadee foraging on Blue Wood Aster *(*Symphyotrichum cordifolium*)*, looking for seeds or insects

Related Posts

Sleepy Orange Butterflies are Back

A Wildlife, Family, and Pet-friendly Lawn

‘Will Work for Food’ – Extra-floral Nectaries

Bountiful Blue Wood Aster

Shrubby St. Johnswort

Where Do Winterberries Come From?

Invasion of the Cedar Waxwings

Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Wild Neighbors

A Lovely Native Chickweed

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Mary Anne Borge

As I rounded a bend while walking a trail on a cool day earlier this spring, I spotted a colony of wildflowers blooming a few inches above ground level.

A colony of spring wildflowers — A colony of mystery spring wildflowers

My first thought was that it must be Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica), whose blossoms were beginning to carpet the forest floor, but I quickly realized it must be something else. These flowers were a purer white, showing no hint of the pink nectar guides and anthers that add a bit of blush to Spring Beauty’s floral display.

Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica). Note the pink stripes (nectar guides) on the petals, and the pink anthers. — Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica). Note the long, narrow leaves, the pink stripes (nectar guides) on the petals, and the pink anthers.

Clearly this was a different species. I needed to take a closer look.

Notice the upright stems with short opposite leaves, and more leaves at the base of the plant.

While these plants were similar in height to Spring Beauty, they were more erect, less sprawling. Their leaves were short, opposite each other along the stem, with additional leaves at the base of the plant.

The flowers had five distinctly lobed petals, and instead of pink striping, these had soft gray nectar guides beckoning pollinators to visit.

Notice the deeply notched white petals with soft gray striping. — Notice the deeply notched white petals with soft gray striping, characteristics of Field Chickweed (*Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum*).

A little investigation yielded the identification as Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum), a plant native throughout much of Canada and the United States (except Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida). In spite of Field Chickweed’s wide range, this was my first encounter with it. This perennial chickweed is often found on cliffs, rocky slopes, ridges, ledges or beaches. Fittingly, I met this small beauty on a rocky western-facing slope near the Delaware River in the Sourland Mountains in New Jersey.

Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum) with flower visitor

The primary pollinators documented for this species are a number of bees, including small carpenter bees, cuckoo bees, mason bees, sweat bees, and mining bees. Conveniently located nearby were nest entrances for some ground nesting bees who may have been frequent diners at the Field Chickweed flowers.

Entrance to ground-nesting bee nest in the path to the right of some Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum).

In contrast to the documentation I found for this plant, the pollinators I encountered were all flower flies (also known as hover flies or Syrphid flies).

Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum) with flower fly actively drinking nectar

Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum) with visiting flower fly

Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum) with Eastern Calligrapher (Toxomerus geminatus), a species of flower fly

Flower flies are named for their frequent visits to flowers to drink nectar and eat pollen, and for their ability to hover in the air. Flies are important pollinators, especially in spring and fall when the weather is cool, because they are able to fly at lower temperatures than many bees.

The seeds of this and other chickweeds are eaten by many birds and small mammals, including mice.

Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus). Mice will eat chickweed seeds.

Those small mammals may become food for other animals, like this Red Fox.

Red Fox, "Yum! Mice are delicious!" — Red Fox, “Yum! Mice are delicious!”

Field Chickweed is a lovely little native plant quietly doing its job in the ecosystem. I’m happy to have made its acquaintance.

Field Chickweed (Cerastium arvense ssp. strictum)

Related Posts:

A Tale of Two Spring Beauties

Resources

Eaton, Eric R.; Kauffman, Ken. Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. 2007.

Skevington, Jeffrey H.; Locke, Michelle M.; Young, Andrew D.; Moran, Kevin; Crins, William J.; Marshall, Stephen A. Field guide to the Flower Flies of Northeastern North America. 2019.

Flora of North America

Go Botany

Illinois Wildflowers

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database

USDA NRCS Plant Database

USDA U.S. Forest Service Plant of the Week

Why Leave the Leaves? Ask a Red-banded Hairstreak!

Posted on October 5, 2021 by Mary Anne Borge

Thinking about doing a fall clean-up in your garden? Maybe you are planning to remove the layer of naturally fallen leaves that are beginning to blanket your planting beds?

I hope my encounter with a Red-banded Hairstreak will prompt you to change your plans.

On a recent walk on a woodland trail near my home in central New Jersey, I had just turned around to head back to my car when I noticed a flutter of brownish wings at ground level at the edge of the trail. My first thought was that it was probably a moth, but when I saw the insect in profile, I could tell it was a butterfly. As I looked more closely, I saw the tell-tale markings of a Red-banded Hairstreak. I decided to watch for a while.

A Red-banded Hairstreak walking on the forest floor

She stayed on the ground, walking over obstacles that seemed like they would be a challenge for someone her size, especially when she could choose to fly. While I observed her, she climbed over leaves, rocks, leaf stems and small branches, never once taking to the air. Several times she paused in place for a few seconds. Was she just resting, or maybe getting her bearings? No! She had a purpose in mind.

The Red-banded Hairstreak pauses. Wait! Is she laying an egg?

No question this time! This Red-banded Hairstreak is laying an egg. Her curved abdomen is the tell-tale sign. — No question this time! This Red-banded Hairstreak is ovipositing (laying an egg). Her curved abdomen is the tell-tale sign.

Red-banded Hairstreak caterpillars eat fallen leaves and other decaying plant matter. This little female was laying eggs on or near the kinds of material that her caterpillars would need to eat when they hatched. She alternated walking for a bit with brief pauses to lay an egg.

She walks on, over leaves and twigs. — She continues walking, over leaves and twigs.

Our Red-banded Hairstreak pauses at another promising spot to lay an egg.

She walks over twigs until she pauses one more time to lay an egg on detritus

After nearly five minutes, she flew off, presumably scouting for another promising location to lay more eggs.

The caterpillars that hatched from her eggs will spend the winter snug in the fallen leaves, waiting for warm spring days to arrive before completing their metamorphosis to become the next generation of Red-banded Hairstreaks.

Since my encounter with the Red-banded Hairstreak in the woods, I’ve seen other individuals in my own shade garden several times. Fortunately for them and for me, I leave the fallen leaves undisturbed in the garden. I recommend you do the same!

Red-banded Hairstreak on White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata) in our shade garden

American Cranberrybush

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Mary Anne Borge

American Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum synonym V. trilobum), also called Highbush Cranberry, Cranberrybush Viburnum, and several other common names, is not the source of the cranberries often served for Thanksgiving dinner. Those cranberries come from an unrelated species, Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), a member of the heath family, and a plant that is more closely related to blueberries than it is to American Cranberrybush.

American Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) fruit

American Cranberrybush gets its common name from the color of its bright red fruit, which does resemble the cranberries so often used to make holiday side dishes or to garnish a salad. The common name Highbush Cranberry refers to this shrub’s height, which can be in the range of 8 to 12 feet (2.5 – 3.6 meters), much taller than the species that yield fruit for those traditional dishes.

This lovely shrub blooms in spring, usually some time in May. Its floral display consists of two types of flowers arranged in a large rounded cluster, creating a lace-cap effect. Large white sterile flowers form the perimeter of the flower cluster, surrounding a dense group of much smaller fertile flowers that make up most of the inflorescence. The job of the sterile flowers is to be showy enough to attract potential pollinators to the fertile flowers, where the work of reproduction is carried out. This floral strategy is shared by Hobblebush Viburnum (Viburnum lantanoides, synonym V. alnifolia) and some of the hydrangeas.

The sterile perimeter flowers bloom first.

American Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) flower cluster. The large sterile flowers around the perimeter are in bloom, while the fertile flowers are still in bud.

Then gradually, the fertile flowers open for business, enticing pollinators to visit, including many flies, bees and beetles, all important pollinators.

American Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) flower clusters. Many of the small fertile flowers in the center of the inflorescences are in bloom, in addition to the sterile flowers around the perimeter. If you look closely at the top cluster, you can see a fly (a potential pollinator) foraging for nectar and pollen.

Foraging Mining Bee (Andrena sp.) on blooming American Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) flowers.

Mining Bee (Andrena sp.) and another tiny pollinator a bit above and to her right, on blooming American Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) flowers.

Spring Azure butterflies use the flowers and buds of this and other spring-blooming viburnums, and a few other woody species as food for their caterpillars.

Hummingbird Clearwing and several other moth species also use this and other viburnums as food for their caterpillars.

Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) moth

American Cranberrybush leaves have three lobes, resembling the leaves of Red Maple (Acer rubrum). To protect itself from hungry marauding caterpillars, American Cranberrybush has glands on its leaf stems just below where the stem meets the leaf blade. These glands are extra-floral nectaries, designed to lure insects that can be enticed by both a sweet nectar treat and the protein available from a caterpillar. Ants, wasps, even some flies are potential security guards that are paid for their presence with nectar from these glands, with the potential for a bonus: as many caterpillars as they can find. Ants drink nectar and eat caterpillars and other insects. Wasps and flies drink nectar, and some also hunt caterpillars or other insects to feed their young. The presence of these predatory insects helps protect American Cranberrybush from foraging caterpillars.

Note the bumps on the leaf stem, just below the 3-lobed leaf blade. They are the extra-floral nectaries.

American Cranberrybush is a variety of a look-alike shrub, European Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus) which is of European origin and can become invasive in North America. The two can interbreed, which has the undesirable potential to lead to the loss or alteration of the native variety. The best way to tell the two apart is by their extra-floral nectaries. On American Cranberrybush, these nectaries are somewhat convex or slightly rounded at the top, while those on European Cranberrybush leaf petioles (stems) are concave.

By late June, developing fruit replaces successfully pollinated flowers, ripening as the summer goes on. The fruit is a drupe, a fleshy fruit with a single seed encased in a stony pit. Peaches and cherries are examples of fruits that are drupes.

American Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) developing fruit, late June in Pennsylvania.

American Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) ripening fruit, mid-July in Pennsylvania.

American Cranberrybush fruit has a relatively low fat content, so it is less desirable for migrating birds than some other options like Spicebush (Lindera benzoin). It often lasts well into the winter, but this year, where I live and play in central New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania, the fruit was already gone by mid-November. Of course, we have already had a few hard freezes, followed by warm-ups.

American Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus var. americanum) fruit, November, in Pennsylvania.

Robins, Bluebirds, Hermit Thrush, Cedar Waxwings, grouse and many more birds eat American Cranberrybush fruit.

Cedar Waxing – they are among the birds who eat American Cranberrybush fruit.

All kinds of animals, from moose to fox to squirrels and mice also eat the fruit.

Gray squirrels and many other animals eat American Cranberrybush fruit.

What about humans? If we get to it before our animal neighbors do, can we use this fruit as an actual cranberry substitute? If it is cooked with sugar or other sweetener added, people find the fruit of American Cranberrybush edible, too. Some sources say that fruit from European Cranberrybush tends to be more bitter.

Look for American Cranberrybush in wet woods or along streams in its native range, from Nova Scotia to British Columbia in Canada, and in the United States from Maine to Washington state, south to New Jersey, West Virginia and Illinois, although it is more common in the eastern US. The USDA also shows it in one county in New Mexico.

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy those cranberries!