Native plant finder for pollinator species at risk in Massachusetts


Plants for pollinators at risk – GEGEAR LAB AT UMASS DARTMOUTH (link)

The master chart is divided into four categories of plants: pollen sources (bumblebee focus), nectar sources (bumblebee focus), host plants (butterflies) and nectar/pollen sources for other (non bumblebee) bees.  Pollen sources are critical because they enable bees to make more bees, nectar sources are critical because they provide fuel for adult bees and butterflies to be active, and host plants are critical because they give caterpillars (larval stage of butterflies) something to eat!  Remember, including plants that provide all three functions to as many species as possible throughout the season is critical for developing an effective  conservation plan for native pollination systems (the animal AND the plant side of the equation). 

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