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
perennial herb
Spring emergence; primary nectar source during early season
California Coffeeberry
Frangula californica
shrub
Spring flowering provides nectar and pollen for early season foraging
California Figwort
Scrophularia californica
perennial herb
Spring breeding season (Mar-Jun); pollen source for provisioning nests
California Flannel Bush
Fremontodendron californicum
shrub
Specialized large bee pollinator during Apr-Jun bloom
Fendler's Meadow-rue
Thalictrum fendleri var. polycarpum
perennial herb
early season pollen source for nesting females
Foothill Penstemon
Penstemon heterophyllus
perennial herb
Forages on pollen Apr-Jul; nests in dead wood in foothill habitats
Large Leather-root
Hoita macrostachya
perennial herb
Early season pollen source for nesting females
Mountain Coyote Mint
Monardella odoratissima
perennial herb
Solitary bee nesting in dead wood; summer foraging season
Red ribbons
Clarkia concinna
annual
Large native bee foraging during flowering season
Rough Hedgenettle
Stachys rigida var. quercetorum
perennial herb
Spring and early summer nectar foraging
Shortspike Hedgenettle
Stachys pycnantha
perennial herb
Early season pollen resource for brood provisioning
Showy Penstemon
Penstemon spectabilis
perennial herb
Spring foraging for pollen during bloom period
Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa
perennial herb
Spring foraging; long-tongued specialist Apr-Jul