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Mining bees

Andrena

Small, solitary bees varying in color from black to metallic green. Spring Bay Area pollinators of early wildflowers; nest in bare ground; crucial for native plant reproduction.

Plants that support Mining bees

4 plants

Miner's Lettuce*

Claytonia perfoliata subsp. intermontana

high

annual

Critical early spring pollen source for nesting females

Bay Area native

Red-flowering buckwheat

Eriogonum grande var. rubescens

high

perennial herb

Early spring pollen collection for larval provisions

Bay Area native

Scarlet Bugler

Penstemon centranthifolius

moderate

perennial herb

early spring emergence and pollen foraging

Bay Area native

Western Columbine

Aquilegia formosa

high

perennial herb

Early spring emergence; provisioning larvae Apr-Jun

Bay Area native