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Valley carpenter bee

Xylocopa tabaniformis orpifex

Large robust carpenter bee with blue-black metallic body and iridescent wings. Solitary nester; males guard territory aggressively. Excellent pollinator for manzanita, sage, and other native Bay Area shrubs.

Plants that support Valley carpenter bee

16 plants

Big Deervetch

Hosackia crassifolia var. crassifolia

high

perennial herb

Spring emergence; primary nectar source during early season

Bay Area native

Blue Witch

Solanum umbelliferum

moderate

shrub

Spring-early summer foraging

Bay Area native

California Coffeeberry

Frangula californica

moderate

shrub

Spring flowering provides nectar and pollen for early season foraging

Bay Area native

California Figwort

Scrophularia californica

moderate

perennial herb

Spring breeding season (Mar-Jun); pollen source for provisioning nests

Bay Area native

California Flannel Bush

Fremontodendron californicum

high

shrub

Specialized large bee pollinator during Apr-Jun bloom

Bay Area native

Chinese Houses

Collinsia heterophylla

moderate

annual

Spring nectar source

Bay Area native

Fendler's Meadow-rue

Thalictrum fendleri var. polycarpum

moderate

perennial herb

early season pollen source for nesting females

Bay Area native

Foothill Penstemon

Penstemon heterophyllus

moderate

perennial herb

Forages on pollen Apr-Jul; nests in dead wood in foothill habitats

Bay Area native

Large Leather-root

Hoita macrostachya

moderate

perennial herb

Early season pollen source for nesting females

Bay Area native

Mountain Coyote Mint

Monardella odoratissima

high

perennial herb

Solitary bee nesting in dead wood; summer foraging season

Bay Area native

Red ribbons

Clarkia concinna

moderate

annual

Large native bee foraging during flowering season

Bay Area native

Rough Hedgenettle

Stachys rigida var. quercetorum

moderate

perennial herb

Spring and early summer nectar foraging

Bay Area native

Shortspike Hedgenettle

Stachys pycnantha

moderate

perennial herb

Early season pollen resource for brood provisioning

Bay Area native

Showy Penstemon

Penstemon spectabilis

high

perennial herb

Spring foraging for pollen during bloom period

Bay Area native

Vinegar-weed

Trichostema lanceolatum

moderate

annual

Foraging during blooming season

Bay Area native

Western Columbine

Aquilegia formosa

moderate

perennial herb

Spring foraging; long-tongued specialist Apr-Jul

Bay Area native