This effective mimicry helps protect the species. Of the approximate 560 species of swallowtails worldwide, Florida is home to 10, more than any other state in the United States. One of the easiest ways to identify which butterfly your watching is to see which plant it lands on. For instance, if the butterfly with similar markings as the Black Swallowtail was on the next plant chances are it would be the Pipevine Swallowtail looking for a spot to lay her eggs. Host plant to the pipevine swallowtail.
Leaves are heart shaped on all three.
The butterflies, in my garden, seem to be highly attracted to Gigantea. Likes rich well drained soil. Elegans is much less aggressive. This garden is a collector's garden . It includes many native plants for wildlife, but also incorporates many rare and unusual exotics as well as unusual tropical fruit trees.