Where did this pollen come from?
- Aunt Plantsy
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
During our most recent bee inspection, we had some beautiful frames of pollen in many different colors – such as red, orange, yellow, light green, etc. In March, there usually isn’t much blooming yet, so I started looking around the property to see what we had in bloom and did some research.
Right now, our biggest pollen producers are juniper and ash trees here in Yavapai County. We don’t have any ash trees on our property but that doesn’t mean anything since bees can forage 2 to 5 miles away. I’ve been told they can forage up to 10 miles away when they are desperate. While junipers are primarily wind-pollinated and do not produce nectar, honeybees may collect juniper pollen out of necessity, especially during times of food scarcity. This behavior is more of a last resort rather than a regular foraging choice, as bees typically favor flowering plants that provide abundant nectar and pollen for a balanced diet.
As for flowering plants on our property that are currently blooming, they include dandelion, filaree, London rocket, crossflower (blue mustard), and tansy mustard. According to the book, “American Honey Plants, Together with Those Which Are of Special Value to the Beekeeper as Sources of Pollen” by Frank Chapman, dandelion produces large quantities of pollen as well as nectar. Most of the honey from dandelions will be consumed for brood rearing. He says that filaree produces an abundance of pollen and a considerable amount honey. As for the mustard, he says that it produces nectar – not so much on pollen.
Something to keep in mind here is that not all flowering plants produce pollen, and not all produce nectar. Some do both, some do neither.
According to the internet, there are other things producing pollen currently, which are willow and maple and a few others that are not yet blooming here in the high desert:
Common Pollen Sources
African Sumac: Known for its high pollen output, especially in warmer months.
Ash Trees: These trees contribute significantly to pollen counts during their flowering season.
Juniper and Cypress: These evergreens are also notable for their pollen production, particularly in the spring.
Mesquite Trees: Another common source of pollen, especially in arid regions.
Native Plants:
Desert Marigold: Blooms throughout the warmer months, providing a rich source of nectar.
Globe Mallow: Known for its vibrant orange flowers, it attracts various pollinators.
Saguaro Cactus: Produces large, white flowers that bloom at night, offering nectar to bees.
Seasonal Considerations:
Early bloomers such as willow and maple are typically active in spring.
Summer flowers such as clover and basswood are also beneficial.
Late-season sources include asters and goldenrod, which provide food as the season winds down.
When you look at a frame of pollen with many different variations of colors, it can be hard to decipher where the pollen came from. Dandelions produce reddish yellow to orange pollen; junipers produce white, red and dark blue pollen; filaree produces dark red to reddish brown pollen; London rocket produces yellow pollen; willow produces lemon colored pollen; and maples produce light yellow, light olive, greyish brown, or brownish yellow depending on the variety of maple. So, it would be really hard for me to tell you where all the pollen came from, but I am confident in telling you that dandelion and filaree are a part of that pollen rainbow!
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