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California Buckeye
California Buckeye botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

California Buckeye

Aesculus californica

Honeybees are strongly attracted to California buckeye's early-season nectar and pollen, often foraging heavily during peak bloom in May. However, the nectar and pollen are toxic, causing wing deformities and colony losses, so beekeepers should relocate hives away from stands of this tree. It provides a brief but intense resource in dry years when other sources are scarce.

Nectarlow
Pollenlow
BloomApril–June
USDA zones7-8
TypePerennial
Sunpartial
NativeCalifornia, USA
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