Adam's Needle Pollen Color, Bloom Season and Bee Forage

Visual guideAdam's Needle pollen

Photo: Moriori · Public domain

Plant Facts

SeasonSummer

USDA Zone4 - 10

Plant TypeShrub

ForagePollen and nectar

Pollen ValueLow

Nectar ValueLow

Color FamilyOrange and amber

Scientific NameYucca filamentosa

Common NamesAdam's needle, Common yucca, Spanish bayonet

Native RegionsSoutheastern United States

Range StatusNative to the southeastern United States and widely planted beyond its native range.

Color ConfidenceModerate

Color MethodA species-level pollen-library record describes the pollen as yellow; the digital swatch is approximate.

Reviewed2026-10-11

Quick Answer

Adam's Needle pollen is shown in this guide as an orange and amber tone. It is listed as shrub, associated with summer bloom timing, USDA zone 4 - 10, and pollen and nectar forage value.

Pollen Color Notes

The visual color shown for Adam's Needle is grouped broadly with orange and amber pollen tones. It is intended for comparison and identification support, not as a laboratory measurement.

Pollen color is highly variable. Lighting, pollen age, moisture, collection method, cultivar, and local growing conditions can all change how pollen appears. Use this as general visual guidance, not a scientific color standard or guaranteed field match.

Bloom, Zone, and Forage Context

Adam's Needle is listed for summer. The record lists USDA zone 4 - 10; hardiness zones are planning context, not a precise flowering calendar. Approximate bloom months in the supplemental notes: June, July.

Its forage type is pollen and nectar, with pollen value marked as low and nectar value marked as low. Yucca flowers are specialized for yucca moth pollination, although other insects may visit and collect limited floral resources.

Identification Notes

Adam's needle forms rosettes of stiff sword-shaped leaves with curling edge filaments and sends up tall panicles of nodding cream flowers.

Flower color note: Creamy white. Flower color and pollen color may differ.

Related by Similar Color

Fennel - Orange and amber Southern Catalpa - Orange and amber Serviceberry - Orange and amber Great Camas - Orange and amber Virginia Sweetspire - Orange and amber Buttonbush - Orange and amber

Related by Season

American Basswood - Summer Basil - Summer Bee Balm - Summer Bindweed - Summer Bird's-Foot Trefoil - Summer Blackberry - Summer

Related by Plant Type

Bell Heath - Shrub Berberis - Shrub Blackberry - Shrub Blackhaw Viburnum - Shrub Blackthorn - Shrub Blueberry - Shrub

Related by USDA Zone

Alder - Zone 2 - 7 Allium - Zone 3 - 9 Almond - Zone 4 - 8 Alsike Clover - Zone 3 - 8 American Basswood - Zone 3 - 8 American Bittersweet - Zone 3 - 8

Related by Bee Forage

Alfalfa - Pollen and nectar Allium - Pollen and nectar Almond - Pollen and nectar Alsike Clover - Pollen and nectar American Basswood - Pollen and nectar American Bittersweet - Pollen and nectar

Sources

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
USDA hardiness zone context USDA PLANTS Database
United States Department of Agriculture / reviewed 2026-07-12
scientific name, common name, distribution context, plant classification The Anther's Promise pollen library
The Anther's Promise / reviewed 2026-10-11
pollen color category, bloom period, pollen morphology, bee resource context Selecting Plants for Pollinators regional guides
Pollinator Partnership / reviewed 2026-10-11
North American regional plant selection, native range context, bloom timing, pollinator value Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Foundation contributors / reviewed 2026-07-12
plant image, image credit link