Eastern Temperate Forests (Ecoregion 8)
Keystone Plants of the Northeast
The Northeast's dense deciduous and mixed forests support some of the highest caterpillar diversity in North America. Oaks, cherries, and willows anchor the food web; goldenrod and asters sustain the late-season pollinator community.
States: ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ
Level III Ecoregions in this region
Acadian Plains and HillsGulf of Maine CoastNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal Zone
Top Keystone Trees
Ranked by caterpillar species supported (NWF / Tallamy data)
| Genus | Common name | Caterpillar spp. |
|---|---|---|
| Quercus | Oak | 436 |
| Prunus | Wild cherry / plum | 340 |
| Salix | Willow | 289 |
| Betula | Birch | 284 |
Top Keystone Perennials
Ranked by pollen specialist bee species supported (Fowler data)
| Genus | Common name | Specialist bees |
|---|---|---|
| Solidago | Goldenrod | 42 |
| Symphyotrichum | Aster | 33 |
| Helianthus | Native sunflower | 50 |
Native Plants in the Directory
3 plants listed
Data source: Keystone plant rankings based on NWF Keystone Plants by Ecoregion and Narango, Tallamy & Shropshire (2020), Nature Communications. Specialist bee data from Fowler (2016), USDA Forest Service.
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