A group of early spring flowers native to the Mediterranean region of
Europe, widely cultivated in gardens. Among the first flowers to bloom,
they are very attractive to the bees, as shown in Fig. 47.
CROTON (Croton).
Scholl lists four species of croton as yielding pollen and nectar in
Texas, though none of them are of much importance. Richter states that
the bees visit the small blossoms of =Croton californicus= in large
numbers. The author can find no records which indicate that the plants
are of special value anywhere.
CROWNBEARD (Verbesina).
There are several species of this plant, some of which are very
attractive to the bees. They may be found in the borders of open
woodlands and partially shaded situations of the region east of the
Missouri River. Where sufficiently abundant the crownbeard is the
source of a considerable quantity of nectar. A coarse weed, growing
four to eight feet tall, with winged stems and yellow, or sometimes
white, blossoms.
[Illustration: Fig. 48. The crownbeard is a favorite of the bees.]
CUCUMBER (Cucumis sativus).
The cucumber is dependent upon bees for pollination of the blossoms.
The flowers are imperfect, the male organs being contained in one
flower while the female organs are in another. For this reason it is
necessary that insects carry the pollen from the staminate blossoms
to the pistillate ones. Where pickles have been grown under glass,
they have proved unfruitful until bees are given access to the bloom.
Formerly the pickle growers fertilized the blossoms by hand to some
extent. This was very laborious. According to B. N. Gates (In 3rd
Report Iowa Bee Inspector), one grower has forty acres under glass in
Massachusetts and the industry requires about three thousand colonies
of bees annually to serve in the cucumber greenhouses.
In some sections, cucumbers are grown extensively for pickles. At
Marengo, Ill., Doctor Miller reports that about 600 acres are planted
to pickles. He reports that, whereas he formerly had no fall flow, his
bees now gather some fall crop, part of it evidently from cucumbers.
There are numerous localities where cucumbers are of some importance to
the beekeeper. Lovell states that the honey is pale yellow or amber and
has at first a rather strong flavor, which largely disappears in time.
CUP PLANT (Silphium perfoliatum).
Cup plant, also called rosin weed, is a common square-stemmed plant
with leaves grown together at the base forming a cup. It grows from
four to eight feet high and is abundant on rich lands, along streams
and in woodside borders, in the Mississippi Valley. It produces
numerous large yellow flowers and, where plentiful, furnishes
considerable forage for the bees. It is probably seldom important as a
source of surplus.
[Illustration: Fig. 49. The cup plant.]
CULVER’S ROOT (Veronica virginica).
The Culver’s root is found from New England and Ontario to Manitoba and
southward to Arkansas and Georgia. There are reports to the effect that
the bees fairly swarm on this plant, but apparently it is not of much
importance to the beekeeper.
CURRANT (Ribes).
There are several varieties of the cultivated garden currant and many
species of the wild currants which are valuable sources of nectar.
There are at least seven species of wild currant native to New Mexico.
It is probable that some species of wild currants are to be found in
every State where bees are kept. In the vicinity of large plantings
of cultivated currants they are an important source of nectar, but
generally speaking, they are a minor source and of chief value for
pollen and for stimulating early brood rearing along with most other
fruits.
CYNOGLOSSUM, see Hound’s Tongue.
D
DAHOON, see Holly.
[Illustration: Fig. 50. The much despised dandelion is a valuable
source of nectar.]
DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale).
The dandelion is one of the most widely distributed plants in America.
Originally introduced from Europe, it has been naturalized over
practically the entire continent. As each plant will produce hundreds
of seeds, which are borne for long distances on the wind, its wide
distribution is not surprising. The plant is sometimes used for
medicinal purposes, serving as a mild laxative and tonic. The tender
shoots are very popular as a table delicacy in early spring, with those
who are fond of greens. The bright yellow flowers are very showy, and
if the plant was not so abundant, would be considered attractive. The
warfare against the dandelion is as relentless and as continuous as the
campaign against the house fly. Little is to be accomplished by digging
the plants from one’s own lawn, when a whole pastureful are going to
seed a mile or two away.
The beekeeper has little to complain of from these weeds, as there
is nothing of greater value during the short period of bloom. While
the honey gathered from dandelions is dark and strong, most of it
will be consumed for brood rearing. Occasionally a small surplus will
be secured from this source, but it blooms so early that surplus is
unusual. Large quantities of pollen as well as nectar are produced, so
that a large acreage of dandelions within reach of the apiary is much
to be desired. Fig. 50 shows the plant as it appears during the period
of bloom, with blossoms and unopened buds.
Hon. Eugene Secor, the beekeeper’s poet, has written a number of things
regarding the intimate relation existing between bees and flowers, and
for one of these, the dandelion furnished the inspiration:
“Here’s a bee, my children see!
Gathering sweets for you and me,
On Sir Dandy Lion’s crown;
She is yellow that was brown,
Yellow with the golden dust
Lent to her in solemn trust;
Blossoms bart’ring gold for gold.
Through this dusty trader bold,
Dandy Lion seeks a bride,
Sends his offerings far and wide
With his trusty friend, the bee,
And with Honey pays the fee.”
DATE-PLUM, see Persimmon.
DEER CLOVER, see Wild Alfalfa.
DEER’S EARS, see Monument Plant.
DELAWARE--Honey Sources of.
Clover, tulip-tree, willows, maples, fruit bloom, dandelion,
heartsease, buckwheat, blueberry, huckleberry, boneset and asters are
among the well-known sources of honey in Delaware. Beekeeping is not
highly developed in this State and few pay serious attention to honey
production.
DEVIL’S CLAW, see Acacia.
DEVIL’S SHOESTRING, see Bluevine.
DEWBERRY, see Blackberry.
DIERVILLA, see Bush Honeysuckle.
DOCTOR-GUM, see Poisonwood.
DOGBANE (Apocynum).
When not in bloom the dogbane resembles the milkweed. There are several
species found in Europe, temperate Asia and North America. In the
United States there are two common species, =Apocynum cannabinum=,
known as Indian hemp, Canadian hemp or Choctaw root, and =Apocynum
androsaemifolium=, the spreading dogbane.
Dogbane can be distinguished from milkweed by the finer stem and
smaller leaves. The stems are unusually reddish in color. By Fig. 51
it will be seen that the flowers are very different. At times the
bees work on this plant very freely. It is especially abundant in some
localities along the Missouri River in Kansas and Missouri.
[Illustration: Fig. 51. Dogbane.]
DOGWOOD (Cornus).
The dogwoods or flowering cornels are a large group of shrubs with
showy flowers. Some species are common over all of Eastern America,
from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick south and west to Texas. The group
is not important to the beekeeper, although occasionally some honey is
reported from them. W. C. Brass reports that in central Arkansas smooth
dogwood (=Cornus femine=), locally called spicewood or buckbrush, is
very abundant, and the bees work upon it industriously during May.
He reports, however, that it is uncertain in its value, the bees not
working upon it every year. H. B. Parks reports that the bees work upon
the red dogwood (=Cornus paniculata=) in Missouri, but the author never
knew them to work on this species in Iowa.
Scholl lists =Cornus asperifolia= as yielding nectar freely in Texas,
though the species is not plentiful.
DOORWEED, see Heartsease.
DROUGHT-WEED, see Turkey Mullein.
E
EBONY, see Texan Ebony.
ECHINOPS SPHOEROCEPHALUS, see Chapman Honey Plant.
ECHIUM, see Blueweed.
ELDERBERRY (Sambucus canadensis).
The American elder or elderberry is a common shrub from New Brunswick
west to Saskatchewan and south to Arizona and Texas. Fig. 52 shows the
flower clusters of the common elder (=Sambucus canadensis=). Since the
plant blooms late in May and June, there is usually an abundance of
pollen in most localities. The bees, however, gather the pollen freely
at times, and it is of value where pollen is not plentiful at this
season.
[Illustration: Fig. 52. The elderberry.]
The berries are used for pies and wine. The flowers and bark are used
to some extent for medicinal purposes.
Richter lists the blue elderberry (=Sambucus glauca=) as important for
pollen in California, but as yielding no nectar.
ELM (Ulmus).
The elms are very attractive to the bees for pollen. The American or
white elm is more especially valuable, and a large tree will attract so
many bees that the humming sounds like a swarm.
There are numerous reports of nectar from elm in Texas. Scholl lists
the winged elm (=Ulmus alata=) as giving a good yield of honey, surplus
sometimes being secured from it. He described the honey as amber in
color, with strong and characteristic aroma. He also lists the American
elm as a source of nectar.
EPILOBIUM, see Fireweed.
ERIOGONUM, Wild Buckwheat or Flat Top.
A group of low annual or perennial plants common to the Rocky Mountain
and plains States. It is a large group and numerous species are to be
found from Nebraska to California. In New Mexico the Eriogonum are
among the commonest plants, there being something like forty species
recorded from that State. The best known is the wild buckwheat of
southern California (=Eriogonum fasciculatum=). This is an important
source of nectar in that region. The honey is said to be light amber
and of good flavor. It granulates readily.
Richter lists it as the most important honey plant in many southern
California localities.
In Colorado =Eriogonum effusum= is sometimes known as “heather.”
According to Herman Rauchfuss it yields nectar nearly every year
when there are late rains. It blooms in August and September and is
usually in bloom for some time before the bees are attracted to it. He
sometimes gets a super of comb honey per colony from this source. The
honey he reports to be amber, of fine quality, and strong aroma, of
which one does not easily tire.
It grows abundantly on the prairies about Denver. The plant is small
and inconspicuous, with minute flowers, and is not generally recognized
as a honey plant among beekeepers of Colorado.
“Wild buckwheat (=Eriogonum fasciculatum=) is one of the principal
honey plants of southern California. In the Acton, Antelope Valley
and Elsinore districts it is the main reliance. Although quite
abundant at lower levels, it does not yield much nectar below 1,500
feet nor above 5,000 feet. The honey is a deep light amber, but of
fine flavor, and the comb is very white. The honey has such a heavy
body that it is seldom extracted.”--J. D. Bixby, Western Honeybee,
May, 1917, page 116.
ERODIUM, see Pin Clover.
[Illustration: Fig. 53. Blossoms of the blue gum of California
(_Eucalyptus globulus_).]