There were probably a dozen dainty sulphurs flying around the yard this afternoon, landing on grass and the Spanish needles, weeds, that grow amongst the long blades. They are little bursts of yellow in a sea of green.

The Spanish needles are a favorite of this butterfly, which grows naturally in our lawn. According to the University of Florida extension office the Spanish needle can be found growing in an abundance of places such as pastures, forest clearings, wetlands, roadsides, ditch banks and landscapes. The weeds can be found in abundance during the warmer months when the rain is constant.

The Spanish needle has four to five long broad white petals that surround a tubular yellow center and are plentiful in our yard. Apparently these can grow up to 36 inches in height, and once established can have a woody stem as it ages. The seeds of these species can colonize quickly, which is fine if it continues to attract this little one to our yard.