The plants which yield honey in surplus quantity are comparatively few
in number. In the average locality there will be only two or three
important sources of nectar, with a considerable number of minor ones
which furnish the bees with a partial living between the main flows.
As an example, a typical Iowa locality may be mentioned. There white
clover is the principal source of surplus honey. Now and then some
surplus will be gathered in the fall, also, from heartsease. Yet the
list of plants which yield nectar in that particular neighborhood is a
rather long one. Were it not for these minor sources, to provide for
the bees before and after the clover flow, beekeeping would hardly be
possible there. To begin the season, fruit trees, apples, cherries and
plums, furnish a liberal supply of nectar. These trees bloom early in
spring when the bees are still weak from the long winter. If it were
possible for the beekeeper to so conserve the strength of his colonies
that they would come through the winter in as good condition as they
are in mid-summer, a good crop of surplus honey would be gathered from
fruit bloom in favorable seasons. Following fruit bloom, the dandelions
come. There are several weeks of bloom from dandelion and the bees make
the most of it. Considerable nectar and an abundance of pollen are
gathered from dandelion, only to be used in brood-rearing. It takes a
large amount of honey to rear a big force of bees, and without strong
colonies of bees profitable crops of honey cannot be harvested. It
takes honey, then, to make bees, and it takes bees again to gather a
big crop of honey.
The dandelion continues to bloom, in some localities, until within
a short time of the opening of the white clover flow. In favorable
seasons, when the clover is abundant and weather conditions favorable,
a liberal crop may be expected from the clover. Following the clover
there is a long period when but little honey is coming from the field.
In one neighborhood the bees may be entirely idle, while a short
distance away there may be sufficient forage to support the colony. In
the one location the surplus gathered from clover will be consumed, in
part, to support the colony until the fall flow from heartsease; in the
other the bees will gather enough from minor plants to support them.
The one locality thus becomes a good one for beekeeping, while the
other is poor, and perhaps they are but a few miles apart.
This is a fair example of general conditions. The locality may not be
in the clover region, but the presence or absence of the minor plants
is extremely important to the beekeeper who would support his family
from the products of his apiary.
There are many locations where the presence of plants which yield
pollen abundantly are second in importance only to the plants which
furnish the main honeyflow. As an example, there are places along the
Appalachicola River, in Florida, where enormous yields of surplus honey
are sometimes secured from tupelo, but where there is so little pollen
for the rest of the summer that the bees suffer seriously for the lack
of it. In some places the beekeepers find it necessary to move their
bees to other locations in order to maintain the strength of their
colonies, following the flow from tupelo. Thousands of colonies of
bees have died in locations where wonderful yields of honey have been
harvested, because no pollen was available to enable them to continue
brood-rearing.
It often happens that the crop will be a failure in one location, while
but a few miles away it would be possible to gather a surplus by moving
the bees. As an example, at Hamilton, Illinois, in 1919, the clover
crop was a failure and the bees were on the point of requiring feed at
the time when the clover harvest should be coming in. By moving their
bees from fifteen to forty miles, the Dadants were able to harvest
about forty thousand pounds of honey, instead of feeding to carry their
bees through the winter.
It has become the practice of many California beekeepers to secure more
than one crop by moving their bees several times during the season.
Following the harvest from one source, the bees are moved by truck to
other fields. Thus it is sometimes possible to use the same apiaries to
harvest two or three good crops in a single season.
In like manner a well-known California queen breeder has found it
possible to greatly increase his output by moving his queen-rearing
yards to new fields when the nectar supply had ceased in his own
location.
The variation in the supply of nectar in different localities is
extremely great. A few locations will support several hundred colonies
in one yard. Other locations will hardly support twenty colonies
profitably. A careful study of the flora within reach is most important
to the beekeeper. One who fully understands his location can adapt his
system to his conditions and succeed where failure would otherwise
result. John W. Cash, of north Georgia, had about eight hundred
colonies of bees in a section where thirty colonies would overstock any
single location. By establishing a large number of apiaries in widely
scattered situations, he was able to secure a surprising uniformity
of yield. For a period of several years he never secured less than 56
pounds average of surplus per colony. At the same time his highest
average was 86 pounds per colony.
The combination of plants which yield surplus honey with those which
yield pollen and those which furnish some nectar during the periods
between the flows, together with climatic conditions, determine the
value of a location for beekeeping. It does not require much skill
to secure a crop of honey in a location where every condition is
favorable, but the man who is fully acquainted with the flora will
discount the crops of the hit-and-miss apiarist even there. In the poor
locality it takes a thorough knowledge of the sources of honey and
pollen, together with expert beekeeping to succeed.
LOCO WEED (Astragalus). Also called Rattle Weed or Buffalo Bean.
There are several species of =Astragalus=, common to the Rocky Mountain
region, from Manitoba south to Texas, and west to California. The loco
weeds are herbs with odd-pinnate leaves, and spikes or racemes of
purple, white, or pale yellow flowers.
Several varieties are poisonous and are the source of heavy losses
among the stockmen of the plains and mountain regions. Honey from
loco is reported principally from Colorado, where it is mentioned as
blooming with horsemint, in May and June. It is to be found mostly in
the foothills and the yield is not dependable. The honey is reported
as of light color and good flavor.
LOCUST (Robinia pseudo-acacia).
The black locust, or false acacia, is a native tree from Pennsylvania
to Iowa and southward. However, it has been widely introduced into
other States, thus greatly extending its range. It is now to be found
in many places from New England and Canada southward. It is reported
as producing a surplus of honey in parts of California, and is listed
among the honey plants of Texas.
[Illustration: Fig. 88. Blossoms of black locust, or false acacia.]
The wood is desirable for posts, railroad ties and other purposes
requiring durability. Large plantations are often set for utility
purposes, so that in some localities the beekeeper may readily expect
a surplus from this source. Borers are a serious menace to the life of
this tree, and whole plantations of locusts are sometimes injured by
the insects, which kill the branches and sometimes the bodies of the
trees, causing them to sprout again from the root.
According to Lovell the honey is water-white, of heavy body and mild
flavor. Figure 88 shows the blossoms and leaves. The flowers, it will
be noted, much resemble those of the garden pea.
In some localities the tree is known as white or yellow locust.
LOGWOOD (Haematoxylon campechianum).
The logwood is an important tree common to the West Indies and Central
America, but probably does not occur within the United States. It
is the principal source of vegetable dyes, most of which have been
displaced by chemical products.
It grows in dense forests over large areas and in Jamaica is regarded
as the principal source of honey. When conditions are favorable
enormous crops of honey are harvested, single colonies sometimes
gathering several hundred pounds. Since the forests are often miles in
extent, large apiaries can be supported in a single location. The plant
usually blooms twice during the year, once in November and the second
time near the holiday period. That weather conditions affect the flow
from logwood as readily as that of other plants will be seen by the
following quotations from American Bee Journal of June 8, 1905:
“I noticed unmistakable evidences of an almost universal bloom, and
about ten days later it came out in all its glory. It was truly a
magnificent sight, and although the house was about 500 feet from
the apiary, the roar of the bees passing to and fro was a sound to
make glad the heart of any beekeeper. I went down to the apiary one
morning about 6 o’clock, and if I live to be 100 years old, I never
expect to see a more stirring scene in any apiary than I looked upon
in that yard of 250 colonies. * * * They kept up this pace for four
days; but, alas, it rained that Saturday night, and the next morning
the logwood blossoms were as brown as though they had been burnt,
and the flow was over. Six thousand pounds for the four days was the
record.”
The honey does not sell readily in American markets in competition with
our mild-flavored clover and alfalfa produce. We quote further:
“Prices we received ran from a fraction below 2 cents per pound for
dark to a small fraction below 3 cents for the best, which was one of
the finest samples on the island.”
(See also Brazil.)
LOMBARDY STAR THISTLE, see Centaurea.
LOQUAT (Eriobotrya japonica).
The loquat (Fig. 89) is a Japanese fruit of evergreen habit and
fragrant white flowers which has been introduced into parts of
California. The tree is cultivated for ornament and for its edible
fruit, which resembles a small yellow pear. It blooms in winter in
California and is said to be an excellent honey plant.
[Illustration: Fig. 89. The loquat.]
LOOSESTRIFE, see Purple Loosestrife.
LOUISIANA--Honey Sources of.
Louisiana has a large variety of sources of nectar, with no one plant
of special importance, in all parts of the State. Fruit bloom and
forest trees furnish early nectar and pollen. In the northwest part of
the State, near Shreveport, alfalfa is reported as a source of surplus.
Holly, locust, tupelo, blackberry, asters and cotton are among the
sources commonly reported. There are many minor plants which yield
nectar and some in surplus quantity in limited localities. Much remains
to be learned concerning the honey flora of this State.
Willow yields honey in such abundance that much honey is stored from
it at times. White clover also yields, but is seldom important. Senna,
horsemint, goldenrod and Spanish needle yield some honey in the fall.
LUCERNE, see Alfalfa.
LUPINE (Lupinus).
There are many species of lupines which are common, especially in the
plains region and west to the Pacific Coast. Some are of no value to
the bees, while others are good honey plants. Richter lists =Lupinus
affinus= as a source of nectar in California.
The blue lupine or bluebonnet (=Lupinus subcarnosus=) is widely
distributed over southern and western Texas, fairly covering large
areas when in bloom. The blooming period comes in March or April and
the author heard many reports of this plant, as an important source
of early honey when visiting Texas. Some claim it yields only pollen.
Scholl lists it as a source of honey.
In Colorado, beemen regard some lupines as good honey plants, also.
LYTHRUM, see Loosestrife.
M
MADRONA (Arbutus menziesii). THE ARBUTE TREE.
Jepson describes the madrona tree as evergreen with glossy, leathery
leaves, widely branching, 20 to 125 feet high; bark polished, crimson
or terra cotta, on old trunks dark brown, and fissured into small
scales. Coast ranges of California, oak hills, etc. Grows on high
ridges, mountain slopes and in gravelly valleys.
According to Richter it yields both nectar and pollen from the flowers.
MAGNOLIA or BULL BAY TREE (Magnolia grandiflora).
The magnolia is native to moist soils from North Carolina to Florida
and west to Texas. It is the largest leaved tree of the evergreens. It
is a magnificent tree when uncrowded and is a favorite shade tree in
the South. The thick, leathery leaves persist over winter until the new
ones have appeared. The flowers are large and showy and the blooming
period is from spring till midsummer.
The sweet bay (=Magnolia virginiana=), known also as laurel magnolia,
swamp laurel and beaver tree, grows in swamps from Massachusetts
to southern Florida and west to Arkansas and Texas. In Texas it is
reported as yielding very dark honey of poor flavor.
Magnolia is not often mentioned as important, though an occasional
report of surplus in the South is received. One beekeeper reports that
in Mississippi the honey is so dark and strong as to be unpalatable.
“We had three days of cool, damp, cloudy weather last year in August.
During that time I visited my magnolia apiary, and on approaching
it I heard the heavy roar of bees. I first thought that wholesale
robbing was in full force, and I soon saw that they were gathering
honey, and on looking at the alighting boards I saw particles of
magnolia blooms. This told the tale. I went a few rods into the
swamp, which was decorated with the large, rich magnolia blooms. I
examined a bloom and there was the nectar visible, and all the bees
had to do was to alight, fill themselves and return. The weather soon
cleared off and the magnolia honey was no more. Those three days of
damp, cool and cloudy weather saved many old style gums from being
turned bottom up, in the spring, in this section.”--J. J. Wilder,
Cordele, Georgia. American Bee Journal, Feb. 15, 1906.
MAGUEY, see Century Plant.
MAHOGANY GUM, see Eucalyptus.
MAINE--The Honey Flora of.
A large number of plants produce both pollen and nectar, but in Maine
comparatively few yield a surplus of honey--the most important being
white clover, alsike clover, fruit bloom, raspberry, fireweed and
goldenrod.
Aster (=Aster=). The asters are of some value in this State, and
in late fall bees may be seen frequently on the flowers. =Aster
paniculatus= appears to be the most important. In some localities
in the Middle States the ground is white with the blossoms of field
asters. Pure honey, white or perhaps sometimes light amber. It is
gathered so late that often it may not be fully ripened.
Apple (=Pyrus malus=). Yields a small surplus occasionally in this
State. Honey of fine quality, light amber with aromatic flavor.
Basswood (=Tilia americana=). So rare in this State as to be of little
importance.
Blackberry (=Rubus=). Yields little nectar in the Northern States; but
a surplus is reported in Georgia and California.
Boneset (=Eupatorium perfoliatum=). Visited by insects in large
numbers, but not common enough to yield a surplus.
Buckwheat (=Fagopyrum esculentum=). Not extensively grown in Maine, but
fields of it are cultivated in many localities. A dark, purplish honey.
Button-bush (=Cephalanthus occidentalis=). Common in swamps, but not
important.
Canada Thistle (=Cirsium arvense=). Not very important in this State,
but more common westward. Honey light and well flavored.
Carrot (=Daucus Carota=). Naturalized from Europe, common in fields.
Clover, white (=Trifolium repens=). A fine white honey of delicious
flavor. Alsike clover (=T. hybridum=) is an equally good honey plant,
honey similar. Both are abundant in Maine, especially northward. In dry
seasons bees are able to gather nectar from red clover, a bumblebee
flower.
Cucumber (=Cucumis sativus=). A good honey plant in the neighborhood of
pickle factories. Honey with flavor of the fruit, but improves with age.
Currant (=Ribes=). The various species of currants and gooseberries,
both wild and cultivated, are of some importance.
Dandelion (=Taraxicum officinale=). More valuable for pollen than
nectar in this State. Honey golden yellow, thick, strong-flavored,
crystallizing in a few weeks.
Goldenrod (=Solidago=). A most valuable honey plant in New England.
In southern Maine it never fails to give a large surplus, the main
dependence of the beekeeper for winter stores. Honey golden yellow,
fine flavored, candying with a coarse grain in a few months. =Solidago
graminifolia= and =S. rugosa= are the most important species in this
State.
Heartsease (=Polygonum persicaria=). This plant, so valuable in
Illinois and Nebraska, is of no importance in Maine; a bee is rarely
seen on the flowers.
Horse-chestnut (=Aesculus Hippocastanum=). Not common, bees gather both
nectar and pollen. Bumblebee flowers.
Locust, black (=Robinia pseudo-acacia=). Yields a surplus of white
honey further south, but not abundant in Maine. Often cultivated.
Maple (=Acer saccharum=). The rock maple blooms in spring before the
leaves appear and the flowers are visited by bees in great numbers. The
red maple also yields nectar.
Milkweed (=Asclepias syriaca=). Where the milkweed is abundant it is a
great help to the beekeeper. In Michigan it is increasing, and perhaps
also in Maine. The honey is excellent, with a fruity flavor.
Mayweed (=Anthemis cotula=). Common by the roadside, a bitter honey,
apparently not important in this State.
Mustard (=Brassica=). Very abundant in grain fields, where the flowers
often present an unbroken sheet of yellow. Probably never yields a
surplus in Maine.
Pear (=Pyrus communis=). Not of much importance, but has been known to
yield nectar very freely under suitable conditions.
Plums and cherries (=Prunus=). All the species secrete nectar. The
choke-cherry, which is common in thickets, attracts many insects.
Raspberry (=Rubus idaeus=, variety =aculeatissimus=). One of the best
honey plants, where the forest has been lumbered. A splendid honey of
finest flavor, suggestive of the berry.
Sumac (=Rhus typhina=). This common shrub has the staminate and
pistillate flowers on different individual plants; not common enough in
Maine to yield a surplus. Honey bright amber, with a bitter flavor at
first, which later disappears.
Sweet clover (=Melilotus alba=). Does not grow well on the clay soil of
this State; requires a limestone soil.
Willow (=Salix=). Valuable in spring for both pollen and nectar, a
great help in building up the colonies and bridging over backward
springs. The pussy willow (=Salix discolor=) is most important. It
could be planted to advantage in useless wet land.
Willow-herb (=Epilobium angustifolium=). Also called greweed, since it
springs up abundantly on land which has been burned over. An excellent
honey plant; honey water-white; flowers red purple.--John H. Lovell,
Bulletin of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Vol. xvii, No. 4.
MAIZE, see Indian Corn.
MALLOW (Malva).
Several lists of honey plants contain some mention of the mallows. The
bees visit the flowers for both nectar and pollen, but the author can
find no record to indicate that they are anywhere important.
MANCHINEEL (Hippomane mancinella).
The manchineel is an evergreen tree common to the beaches and marshes
of southern Florida and the Keys; also found in the Bahamas and
Tropical America. It is very poisonous, and Britton credits it with
being the most poisonous of our American trees. He states that the
milky juice was used by the Caribs to poison their arrows.
It yields nectar abundantly some seasons and is the source of surplus
honey. According to E. G. Baldwin, it blooms with pigeon cherry and
with dogwood, and the late O. O. Poppleton was the only man to attempt
to harvest a crop from the tree, growing as they do on the Keys, where
not easily accessible. He credits Poppleton with a yield of 28,000
pounds from the three together in 1910.--Gleanings, April 1, 1911.
MANGROVE, see Black Mangrove.
MANITOBA--Honey Sources of.
In eastern Manitoba the blueberry yields some surplus. The main
sources of nectar for the Province are white clover, alsike, fireweed,
snowberry, perennial sow thistle, Canada thistle, wolfberry, mustard,
goldenrod, aster and numerous prairie and weed plants. To these are
added willows and maples as sources of early nectar.--F. W. L. Sladen.
[Illustration: Fig. 90. Manzanita.]
MANZANITA or BEARBERRY (Arctostaphylos).
Figure 90 shows the blossoms and leaves of the manzanita, which is
seldom heard of as a honey plant east of California. The following
information is copied from Richter’s “Honey Plants of California”:
“=Arctostaphylos=, manzanita, bearberry. Throughout coast ranges,
Sierra Nevada foothills and San Bernardino Mountains (2,000 to 9,000
feet), November to February.
“The honey is amber and of excellent flavor, much like manzanita
itself (Colusa County); pollen. San Diego County reports a white
honey from the manzanita. One of the most important honey plants to
induce bees to early breeding. In some parts of Monterey, Colusa and
Eldorado Counties, a 20 to 40 pound surplus is obtained, and on very
warm days (Monterey County) nectar can be shaken from the bloom. A
beekeeper from Applegate reports it to be his best honey yielder.”
The =Arctostaphylos uva ursi=, bearberry or bear grape, according
to Gray, occurs on the rocks and bare hills from New Jersey and
Pennsylvania to Missouri and far north and westward. It is also said
to be common in Europe and Asia. It is recorded in the local lists of
plants of Connecticut and Ontario, although, probably because nowhere
abundant, it is not known as a source of honey. Although Richter’s list
does not give the species from which their honey is secured, it is
probably =A. manzanita= or =A. tomentosa=, or other species peculiar to
the West Coast.
The leaves of the eastern species are much used in medicine. It is said
to be an astringent tonic, used in diseases of the liver.
MAPLE (Acer).
Almost all of the early pollen and nectar comes from trees, and most of
the trees bloom early. The maples are mostly large trees confined to
North America and temperate regions of the old world. Two species are
commonly planted for shade and ornament--the sugar maple or hard maple
(=Acer saccharinum=) and the red maple or soft maple (=Acer rubrum=).
The photographs show the blossoms of the soft maple. (Fig. 91.)
Maple lumber is commonly used in the manufacture of furniture, flooring
and finishings. The blossoms come very early, when especially valuable
in building up colonies for the main honey flow. If the bees were as
numerous as later, the nectar stored from maple blossoms would make
a creditable yield. Mr. C. L. Pinney, of Iowa, reports that one year
his scale hive showed a gain of from one to two pounds daily from soft
maple, when the ground was still covered with snow.
If it were possible to have colonies come through the winter with as
many bees as they have at the beginning of winter, beekeeping would be
a bonanza. Instead of having one or two flows, there would be first a
flow from maple and willow, followed by one from dandelion and fruit
bloom, ahead of the big clover flow. However, the beekeeper whose
apiary is situated near plenty of such trees as willow, maple, elm and
box-elder is fortunate, indeed, for the bees get a splendid stimulation
very early, and should be in prime condition for business when clover
comes on.
The big-leaf maple of the Pacific Coast (=Acer macrophyllum=), also
known as Oregon maple, California maple, water maple or white maple,
is reported as of special importance in Oregon and British Columbia,
its yield is usually cut short by rains. It is found in the Sierra
Nevada and coast ranges of mountains in California, north to southern
Alaska. (See also Box-elder).
[Illustration: Fig. 91. At left staminate blossoms and at right
pistillate blossoms of red maple. Both yield nectar.]
MARIGOLD (Gaillardia pulchella).
There are several species of =Gaillardia= common to a wide scope of
country. This particular species ranges from Louisiana west to New
Mexico and Arizona. It is the source of large quantities of yellow
honey in Texas, where it is highly regarded as a honey plant. It is
reported as yielding surplus occasionally as far south as Brownsville,
though not frequently.
Scholl lists it as “a main source of surplus; honey dark amber and of
good quality. May and June.” (See also Spanish needle.)
MARJORAM (Origanum vulgare).
The marjoram is an European plant, cultivated in gardens, which has
become naturalized along roadsides in the Atlantic Coast States.
According to Lovell, it is a favorite of honeybees; not sufficiently
common to be of much value.
MARRUBIUM, see Hoarhound.
MARYLAND--Honey Sources of.
Willows, maples, fruit blossoms and dandelion furnish nectar and pollen
for spring brood rearing. Tulip-poplar is probably the most important
source of surplus where the bees are prepared to gather it. Coming so
early, few beekeepers have their colonies ready for this flow. Clover,
locust, sumac, holly, laurel, clethra, heartsease, Spanish needle,
asters and goldenrod are valuable. Tupelo and black-gum are also to be
found in the State. There is a long list of minor sources similar to
those listed for New Jersey.
MASSACHUSETTS--Honey Flora of.
White clover, found in nearly all quarters of the State.
Alsike clover. Under favorable conditions it yields not only a good
quality of nectar but large quantities of it.
Red clover. The second flowering is somewhat accessible to bees.
Sweet clover. Two species, neither abundant in Massachusetts.
Goldenrod and asters. Rank close to clovers in nectar production.
Fruit bloom. Apple, pear, cherry, plum, peach, etc., source of early
stores, upon which the colonies build up for the clover harvest. The
body is heavy, the color clear and light and the flow comes with a
rush, which insures handsome sections; but best of all is the exquisite
aroma of the apple blossom, which places fruit bloom honey in a class
by itself.
Linden or basswood. Doubtless the most valuable tree honey plant in
Massachusetts.
Buckwheat. Reported from all counties in Massachusetts.
Wild raspberry and blackberry. The nectar flow is of long duration,
beginning after fruit bloom has ceased.
Several species of sumac are important honey sources which are greatly
underestimated.
Locust. A valuable forage for bees. Reported as sporadic in yield.
Maple. Probably of less importance as a honey plant than the mints,
strawberry and milkweed.
Clethra. Known also as black alder and sweet pepper bush. A valuable
honey secreting plant, largely confined to a belt paralleling the
eastern coast.
Milkweed. Where milkweed occurs in large quantities it is a valuable
honey plant. Reported as important from Berkshire County.
Wild cherry, knotweed, dandelion, strawberry, chestnut, mints,
gill-over-the-ground and mustard also reported occasionally as valuable.
Willow and skunk cabbage valuable for early pollen as well as some
nectar.--Burton N. Gates. Bulletin 129, Mass. Ag. Ex. Sta.
MAT GRASS, see Carpet Grass.
MATRIMONY VINE (Lycium vulgare).
Matrimony vine is a low, spiny shrub, with very long, lithe and almost
climbing branches. It came originally from the Mediterranean region
and was very generally planted for ornament about American homes a
generation ago. It is very persistent, and has run wild about many
deserted home sites. The small flowers clustered in the axils of the
leaves are very attractive to the bees, and, where sufficiently common,
the plant is probably of considerable importance.
MAYWEED (Anthemis Cotula).
The mayweed or dog fennel is an old-world weed extensively naturalized
from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and west to Texas. It is common along
roadsides, in barn lots and waste places generally. Lovell credits it
with yielding a honey that is light yellow in color and very bitter. It
is seldom mentioned as a source of nectar.
Richter states that because of its blooming between spring and summer
it is of considerable value to many Sacramento Valley beekeepers.
MEDICAGO, see Alfalfa.
MELIA, see China Tree.
MELILOTUS, see Sweet Clover.
MELISSA, see Bee Balm.
MELONS (Cucumis melo).
Melons are valuable sources of honey. In locations where they are
grown in large acreage, as in the Rocky Ford district of Colorado,
considerable quantities of honey are stored from them. There are
numerous varieties of muskmelons, canteloupes, etc., but apparently
there is not much difference in the value of the various sorts to the
beekeeper.
As with cucumbers and pumpkins, the male and female blossoms are on
different parts of the stem. Bees and insects carry the pollen from one
to another, if in close proximity, and often cause hybridization.