A plant of recent introduction by the Bureau of Plant Industry.
Described as follows by Frank N. Meyer, explorer, who found it at
Shantung, China:
“A sage which may prove to be a good plant for the arid Southwestern
States. It is able to resist alkali remarkably well. The Chinese
use it for basketry manufacture, taking the annual shoots for this
purpose. It has pretty blue flowers and is diligently visited by
all kinds of bees, and as such it might be grown in gardens as a
semi-ornamental shrub. It grows, when left alone, up to 20 feet tall.”
Specimens tested by the author in Iowa, which were mere whips about 20
inches tall, began blooming the same season, the last week in July, and
had not entirely faded on September 10. The bees sought it eagerly and
apparently, if abundant, it would be a valuable honey plant.
W
WA-HE-YA (Huajillo), see Acacia.
WAHOO, see Hop-Tree.
WAKEROBIN, see Trillium.
WALNUT (Juglans).
The black walnut is a well-known forest tree in the eastern United
States. Its usual range is from Ontario and New England west to
Nebraska, and south to Florida and Texas. The wood is very valuable
for the manufacture of gunstocks, furniture, etc., and is becoming
somewhat scarce. The tree leaves out later than most forest trees,
not developing its foliage until May or June. Figure 143 shows the
pollen-bearing blossoms. These blossoms are long catkins borne on
the wood of the preceding year. The blossoms appear before the
leaves. Quantities of pollen are produced, and, at times, the bees
seek the trees in such numbers as to make a continuous roar. The
walnut blooms after the maples and willows, and is not as valuable as
earlier blooming trees, because it comes at about the same time that
the dandelions are in bloom. May is the month of blossoming in most
northern localities.
[Illustration: Fig. 143. Pollen-bearing bloom of black walnut.]
The white walnuts or butternuts of the Eastern States, and the English
walnuts, Japaneses walnuts and California walnuts grown in the warmer
parts of the country, especially in California, are relatives of the
black walnut, and probably equally valuable for pollen.
WASHINGTON--Honey Sources of.
Alfalfa, sweet clover. Sweet clover is quite generally distributed
over all irrigated alfalfa districts. The Yakima Valley is the largest
of these districts and supports at least 25,000 colonies. If it were
not for spray poison this district could support 50 per cent more.
Sweet clover is being introduced in many other sections of the State,
Spokane County, for example. New irrigation projects will increase the
beekeeping area considerably in many sections of the arid portion of
this State.
Fireweed (=Epilobium angustifolium=). This plant is second only to
the above as a honey plant. It is found in great abundance on all
burned-over land west of the Cascade Mountains. It is also found in
more or less abundance on burned sections on the east side. Due to the
fact that there is much less rainfall it is not as reliable as a source
of nectar as it is on the west side of the State.
White clover is important on old cleared off land on west side. Also
important in Stevens, Pend Oreille, Klickitat, Spokane and Whitman
Counties. Of minor importance in most other counties.
Alsike clover. Important in a few localities on the west side and in
the northeast part of the State, where conditions are favorable.
Vine maple (=A. circinatum=). Very abundant on the west coast from
about King County south. A good yielder of an excellent amber honey.
Blooms so early, about April, that few colonies are in a condition to
store much surplus.
Oregon maple (=A. macrophyllum=). An important honey plant on the west
side, from about King County south.
Dwarf maple (=A. glabrum=). In most timbered sections of the State.
Honey value unknown.
Willow. Willows are abundant in almost every locality and are of great
value for spring feeding.
Chittam (=Cascara sagrada=). Abundant in most sections of the west side
and reported to be an important honey plant. It is being killed off in
many sections, due to the harvesting of the bark for medicinal use.
Locust. Locust has been planted extensively in many of the irrigated
sections of the State, where it furnishes an abundance of nectar at a
time when it is badly needed by the bees. A surplus is gathered in many
sections of Walla Walla County. A water-white honey of excellent flavor.
Dandelion. Abundant in all sections where there is sufficient moisture.
As in most sections of the country, it is of great importance.
Cat’s ear (=Hypochaeris radicata=). Sometimes called California
dandelion. Abundant west of Cascades. Supplies considerable nectar of
amber color. In many sections it darkens the fireweed honey, and for
that reason beekeepers like to avoid it, if possible.
Goldenrod. Abundant in all sections of the State where there is
sufficient moisture. There are a number of species, but the writer has
never seen a bee working on it in this State. This is due, in most
cases, doubtless, to the fact that more desirable nectar is available.
Gum-weeds (=Grindelia=). Present in most parts of the State. Doubtless
of some value.
Mustard. Important on west side in some localities.
Snowberry (=Symphoricarpos racemosus=) and other species. Also called
buck-brush, wax berry, wolf berry. Abundant on the west side and in the
northeast part of the State. Common in many parts. Seems to yield well
where abundant. Quality of honey unknown.
Milkweed (=Asclepias=). Two species are found on the east side. Neither
has been seen on the west side, and is not reported as occurring there
by Piper and Beattie.
Dewberry (=Rubus macropetalus=). Abundant in logged-off sections. Of
considerable importance as a honey plant.
Alder (=A. oregona= and =A. sinuata=). Common on the west side in
particular, especially the former.
Madrona (=Arbutus menziesii=). Common all over the west side, except in
heavy timber. Supplies nectar, but importance unknown.
Helianthus. Two species occur. A small, early species, not determined;
has been reported as important on the east side, where it grows with
little moisture. The species is doubtless =H. annuus=, which is the
only one listed by Piper and Beattie. The other species is doubtless an
introduced species from the east.
Indian hemp (=Apocynum pemilum=). Northeastern Washington. Important
minor plant.
Phacelia (=P. heterophylla=) was found abundant in Kittitas County,
where it was yielding considerable nectar. Reported that the honey is
amber. =P. tanacetifolia= has been introduced into northern Idaho at
Coeur d’Alene in a very limited way, where it yields considerable
nectar, considering its abundance.
Horehound and catnip. Both plants are found in considerable abundance
in all parts of the State where there is sufficient moisture. Both seem
to yield considerable nectar.
Huckleberry. Several species of huckleberries are found in the State
and are very abundant in many sections, as, for example, Mason County.
They have been reported as honey plants, but their relative value is
unknown.--H. A. Scullen.
WATER-GUM, see Tupelo.
WATERMELON (Citrullus citrullus).
Where grown on a commercial scale the watermelon is the source of some
honey. The bees visit the blossoms eagerly for both pollen and nectar.
Important only in a few localities.
WATER PEPPER, see Heartsease.
WATERWEED (Jussiaea californica).
The California waterweed is common to wet lands in the lower Sacramento
and San Joaquin Valleys, where, according to Richter, it is the source
of considerable ill-tasting honey.
WATTLE, see Acacia.
WAXBERRY, see Snowberry.