Southwestern PA Native Plants with a Spotlight on Caterpillars

Enjoy beautiful illustrations of flora native to Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania!

In our Welcome Center Gallery through Sun., Jan. 8, plant lovers of all ages can enjoy stunning illustrations of plants native to the southwestern Pennsylvania region. Southwestern PA Native Plants with a Spotlight on Caterpillars is part of the Flora Project, a collaboration between Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens' Botanical Art and Illustration Program, and the Allegheny Highlands Botanical Art Society. 

Native plants play an important role in our ecosystem, having evolved complex and specific relationships with insects that, in turn, play an essential role in our local food chain. Caterpillars, in particular, are a primary food source for baby birds. According to renowned native plant author and entomology Professor Doug Tallamy, “ninety-six percent of our terrestrial birds are rearing their young on insects and most of those insects are caterpillars.” This year’s Flora participants portrays native plants and pollinators with a spotlight on caterpillars using a variety of mixed media and different substrates. Some artists explored graphite, watercolor, colored pencil and mixed media on a variety of different papers while others painted with egg tempera on board or colored pencil on drafting film.

For more information regarding the Phipps Botanical Illustration Programor other adult classes, please call 412-437-8308 or visit phipps.conservatory.org. 


Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginia), illustration by Abby Krick 

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), illlustration by Autumn Secrest 



River birch (Betula nigra), illustration by Betty Yee-Yates 



Garden phlox (Phlox paniculata), illustration by Brenda Jordan 



Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), illustration by Brenda Nemeth




Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), illustration by Else Arce



Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginia), illustration by Gloria Blake 



Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis), illustration by Helen Coltellaro 



Black-eye Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), illustration by Holly Dobkin 



Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), illustration by Holly Johnson 



New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (Aster)), illustration by Jan Wilson 



Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), illustration by Jim Hansotte



Rosebay (Rhododendron maximum), illustration by Linda Hykes 



Bee-balm (Monarda didyma), illustration by Linda Tobin



Tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), illustration by Lisa Rasmussen 



Sugar maple (Acer saccharum), illustration by Lori Grunick 



Great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica), illustration by Marguerite Matz



Beard-tongue (Penstemon digitalis), illustration by Maria Joseph 



Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), illustration by Mary Reefer 



Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), illustration by Melissa Fabian 



Virginia creeper vine (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), illustration by Pam DeSimone Romeo 



Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), illustration by Raana Flemm



Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium (A. scopanus), illustration by Robin Menard



Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), illustration by Rosemarie Mazza



Redbud (Cercis canadensis), illustration by Sara Rivera 



Sassafras (Sassafras albidum), illustration by Stephanie Lind 



Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), illustration by Sue Ralston



Wild plum (Prunus americana), illustration by Tamara Swanson
 

For more information regarding Phipps' Botanical Art and Illustration Program or other adult classes, please visit phipps.conservatory.org/Learn or call 412-437-8308.