By Johnny Butterflyseed
If you’ve spent any time tending a Florida lawn or garden, you’ve likely come across Dollarweed (Hydrocotyle spp.). With its round, shiny leaves resembling silver dollars, it’s often labeled as a nuisance—sprayed, pulled, and cursed. But what if this so-called “weed” is actually a vital part of Florida’s native ecosystem?
It’s time to rethink Dollarweed as something more valuable than a garden pest. In fact, we propose a new name: Dollarfly or Satyrfeed, reflecting the important role Hydrocotyle plays in supporting native butterflies—especially members of the Satyrinae subfamily. These understated yet remarkable butterflies depend on Hydrocotyle and other native plants for their survival.
Read on to discover how this humble ground cover feeds caterpillars, attracts butterflies, and deserves a spot in your garden—not a spot in the weed bin! 🌱🦋
🦋 Florida’s Native Satyr Butterflies: Hydrocotyle’s Winged Beneficiaries
While the flashy swallowtails and vibrant monarchs grab most of the attention, Satyrinae butterflies—including satyrs, browns, and pearly-eyes—quietly thrive in Florida’s forests, wetlands, and even backyard habitats. Their larvae feed on native grasses, sedges, and, yes, Hydrocotyle species. By cultivating or simply tolerating this plant, you provide a vital food source for these often-overlooked butterflies.
🌳 1. Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius)
The Carolina Satyr is a small, delicate butterfly with soft brown wings adorned with tiny eye spots. Though easy to overlook, it flutters gracefully through shaded woodlands and suburban yards throughout Florida.
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🌱 Why It Loves Hydrocotyle: Carolina Satyr caterpillars rely on various grasses and ground covers—including Hydrocotyle species—as host plants. By allowing Dollarfly (formerly known as Dollarweed) to thrive in moist, shady areas, you provide crucial habitat for this understated beauty.
🌿 Garden Tip: Leave a patch of native ground covers like Hydrocotyle near trees or fences. You’ll be rewarded with Carolina Satyrs dancing through your garden in spring and summer.
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🏞️ 2. Georgia Satyr (Neonympha areolata)
A rarer find in Florida, the Georgia Satyr favors moist pine flatwoods and grassy wetlands, especially in the Panhandle region. Its subtle brown coloration helps it blend seamlessly into its surroundings.
🌱 Hydrocotyle’s Role: In the saturated soils where Georgia Satyrs dwell, Hydrocotyle species flourish. Their creeping stems and abundant leaves offer an ideal food source for hungry caterpillars. By preserving these native plants in wetland margins, we protect essential habitat for this elusive butterfly.
🌿 Conservation Note: Draining wetlands and over-mowing ditches reduces Georgia Satyr populations. Embrace native ground covers like Dollarfly to restore their habitat.
🍃 3. Little Wood Satyr (Megisto cymela)
With its soft, velvety wings and charming eye spots, the Little Wood Satyr brings subtle beauty to open woodlands and grassy clearings across Florida. Unlike some of its cousins, it prefers sun-dappled forests and is often seen bouncing along woodland edges.
🌱 How Hydrocotyle Helps: While primarily feeding on grasses, Little Wood Satyr caterpillars have been observed utilizing low-growing herbaceous plants like Hydrocotyle. Tolerating native ground covers in shady areas creates a perfect nursery for their larvae.
🌿 Fun Fact: Adults prefer sipping from sap flows and overripe fruit, but it’s their caterpillars that depend on the greenery you let grow!
🎋 4. Southern Pearly-Eye (Enodia portlandia)
The Southern Pearly-Eye is a woodland butterfly with a soft brown hue and distinct eye spots, gliding gracefully through shaded riverbanks and forests. Found throughout Florida’s woodlands, it relies on host plants along riparian corridors.
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🌱 A Hidden Connection to Hydrocotyle: Although its primary host plants are native canes like Arundinaria species, Southern Pearly-Eye caterpillars benefit from diverse ground covers in their habitats. In moist environments where canes and Hydrocotyle grow side by side, the ground cover supports the complex web of plant life sustaining these butterflies.
🌿 Garden Action: Planting native grasses alongside Hydrocotyle creates a multi-layered habitat attractive to this species.
🌿 Why Embrace “Dollarfly” Instead of Waging War on Dollarweed?
It’s easy to dismiss Dollarweed as a lawn invader, but in doing so, we risk losing vital butterfly habitat. Traditional lawn care practices—frequent mowing, chemical herbicides, and non-native grass cultivation—destroy food sources for native pollinators and caterpillars.
By letting patches of Dollarfly flourish, you:
✅ Support multiple butterfly species, especially Satyrinae caterpillars
✅ Reduce chemical use in your yard
✅ Provide ground cover that prevents erosion and improves soil health
✅ Create habitat for birds, frogs, and beneficial insects
🐛 How to Welcome Satyr Butterflies to Your Garden:
🌱 Grow native ground covers: Let Hydrocotyle fill in moist, shady spots instead of fighting it.
🌳 Reduce chemical herbicides: Many “weed” treatments harm butterfly larvae and beneficial insects.
🌾 Plant native grasses and sedges: Satyrinae butterflies thrive on diverse native plantings.
💦 Preserve moist habitats: Carolina and Georgia Satyrs love damp ground with abundant host plants.
🦋 Enjoy the subtle beauty: Watch as satyrs gracefully flutter through your naturalized spaces.
🌼 Final Thoughts: Give Dollarfly a Chance!
It’s time to change how we see “weeds.” Hydrocotyle isn’t just a pesky lawn invader—it’s a life source. By rebranding Dollarweed as Dollarfly or Satyrfeed, we highlight its importance to Florida’s native butterflies, especially the Satyrinae subfamily.
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So next time you spot those round green leaves creeping through your lawn, consider leaving them be. Your local butterflies will thank you—with graceful flights and the promise of a healthier ecosystem… one day at a time! 🌍🦋
