Beekeepers often cite the bloom of the ever-present dandelions in the U.S.
as signaling the start of the beekeeping season in earnest. A search of the
Bee-l archives shows beekeepers planning nuc sales, supering, splitting and
reversing all around the dandelion bloom. The plant is described as an
important source of forage for honey bees by beekeepers across the country in
almost all regions in a survey of beekeepers reported in "The Hive and the
Honey Bee." Surprisingly (to me at least), the dandelion is not a native
species in the North American landscape.
   In a new book called "The Landscaping Revolution: Garden with Mother
Nature, Not Against Her" by Andy Wasowski, the author describes the origins
of the flower:
   "Invasive exotics are not new. The first came over on the Mayflower, in
cattle feed. By 1672, twenty-two weeds were documented in New England,
including the ubiquitous dandelion, which is native to northern Europe and
Siberia."
   Native pollinators forage on dandelions too. The first European settlers
may have brought an unexpected bounty of nectar and pollen to native
pollinators that outweighed any competition from the newly introduced honey
bee.