Willow (goat) pollen

Salix caprea

Brilliant lemon yellow, in the yellow range.

FloweringMarch to April

PollenVery good

NectarYes

SeasonSpring

WhereHedgerow, Waterside, Woodland

One of the most important spring sources for early colony build-up.

Willow (goat) (Salix caprea) in flower — Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0. Wikimedia Commons

Easy to mistake for these

Closest pollen colours in our set, measured the same way the pollen identifier scores a match. Colour alone will not settle it, so check the flowering months and what is actually growing near your hives.

Oilseed rapeApril to June CharlockApril to July Winter aconiteFebruary to March Evening primroseJune to September Meadow buttercupMay to July

Out at about the same time

BlackthornCreamy tan BoxMuted yellow DandelionDeep orange GooseberryPale greenish cream PoplarDull yellow brown Red deadnettleOrange red to brick

Saw a load like this going in?

Sample the colour against all 89 plants, then keep a forage record per hive.

Pollen identifier