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Blue Mustard
Blue Mustard botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Blue Mustard

Chorispora tenella
In the United States: Introduced · also called purple mustard, musk mustard, crossflower

Honeybees primarily visit Chorispora tenella for its abundant pollen in early spring, with limited nectar available to support foraging during a critical period before major flows. Peak bloom occurs in April to May in temperate climates, providing a brief but valuable resource when few other options are present. As an annual, it self-seeds prolifically in disturbed, dry soils and can form dense stands that require management to prevent overwhelming nearby plantings.

Nectarlow
Pollenmedium
Bloom (US) March–June
TypePerennial
Sunfull
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