Mason bee
Osmia
Insect
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Stocky blue-black or metallic bee with dense pollen baskets. Superior native pollinator—more efficient than honeybees; nests in hollow stems and cavities.
Plants that support Mason bee
7 plants
Harvest Brodiaea
Brodiaea elegans
geophyte
Nectar
Bay Area native
California Hedgenettle
Stachys bullata
perennial herb
Pollen
Bay Area native
Canyon Sunflower
Venegasia carpesioides
perennial herb
Nectar
Narrowleaf mule ears
Wyethia angustifolia
perennial herb
Pollen
Bay Area native
Old Man's Whiskers
Geum triflorum
perennial herb
Pollen
Red-flowering buckwheat
Eriogonum grande var. rubescens
perennial herb
Pollen
Bay Area native
Royal Penstemon
Penstemon speciosus
perennial herb
Nectar