and Sources of I. .,,'"\' ~ /({JUJ,; by R.S. Walsh(N.D. Ap. N.Z.)

together with a list of suitable source for planting in various districts and a chapter on the function of the .

CONTENTS

Introduction...... 3 .. WinterSourcesof Nectarand Pollen...... 5

Tree Sources of Spring Pollen ...... 9 ~M."' 'Y' .." '~._'\:;"-","" , .~ { Spring & Summer Nectar Sources...... 11 . " -.:. '\~.."~ "('. r I. ,"" , " Lite Summer & Autumn Sources of Nectar and Pollen. . . .37 'h , r Ii.: 1/.,' FlightRangeof Bees...... 43 I \~ ...... Acknowledgements...... 45 N(~(~tar and Pollen The Flower...... 47 Sources of Ne\V Zealand Plantingfor Production...... 49 by R.S. Walsh First published 1967

This edition fully revised and published by

National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand (lnc) P.O. Box 4048 Wellington, N.Z.

February 1978

Printed by

David F. Jones Ltd Home Street, Wellington

Typesetting, layout and editing by

Agricultural Press Company Ltd P.O. Box 176, Carterton, N.Z. /{oWII!;/ Editor: Trevor Walton with assistance from David Williams, Rotorua INTRODUCTION Illustrations by This appeared as a preface to the first edition of "Nectar and Pollen Sources of Paul Nicolai, Tuturumur.i NewZealand." So numerous are the sources of nectar they are of little economic importance, and pollen to be found in NewZealand while that would yield appre- that it would be an almost impossible ciable quantities of nectar if sufficiently task to give a description of all of them. numerous are in many cases now so However, to compile such a list would scattered and decimated by the en- serve no useful purpose as the yields croachment of civilisation, the ravages from some sources are so slight that of disease, fire and drought that they 3 contribute little to the beekeeper of ahead of inland districts and some inland today. There are a number of great locations well south are more forward forest trees that at one time must have than northern districts that have every been valuablesources of nectar had bees appearance of being more favourably been kept within flight range. situated. The writer has no knowledge of the As a result of observation and the com- yielded by the of many piling of records over a period of years of these trees but has, on rare occasions the writer believes the ideal conditions when a convenient vantage point has necessary for a really good honey season allowed the opportunity of looking into in Auckland and North Auckland re- their foliage high above the ground ob- quires heavy winter rains until late served the bees freely working the nec- September. The next two months taries of the flowers. Muchof the pollen should be without wind as wind almost collected by bees kept in apiaries near entirely curtails nectar secretion. bush areas is very difficult to identify. Warm weather is, of course, necessary as Were it possible to index the variety of are some periods of rain which should pollen in one colour range alone - that not, however, be accompanied by ex- between white and deep yellow - it tremes in temperature. If the above would present an imposing list. Out- conditions prevail up until the middle' standing colours observed in the corbi- of November a prolonged drought will cula of the pollen gatherers are snow have no effect on crop returns. I am white, black, bright red, bright blue, inclined to believe that drought condi- green, wine, orange, mauve, purple and tions following ideal spring and early brown. The pollen colours recorded summer weather favour long and here are as observed in the pollen copious nectar secretion from all baskets of the bee. sources in this district. Unseasonal The principal nectar sources of the weather and a light honey flow will pro- Auckland Province are today mainly duce more delicate flavoured honies of the same as those relied upon by bee- lighter colour. With a few notable keepers elsewhere in New Zealand. exceptions, honey gathered from However, the presence of manuka and sources is denser than that of ground bush honies may be detected in the flora and takes longer to granulate. greater proportion of crops produced There are a few areas in Northland and in North Auckland, the district with elsewhere where a pollen dearth exists which the writer has been most closely for a short period. This is overcome by associated. He has, however in addition, professional apiaries bringing combs of been associated with beekeeping in pollen from hives situated in more Canterbury, Taranaki, Poverty Bay, favoured areas, or by feeding a pollen Waikato and Thames districts and has supplement. Garden flowers are usually also been a honey grader for 13 years. despised as being valuelessto largescale This experience has enabled the writer producers, but as a source of pollen to familiarise himself with the major supply the writer is of the opinion it 1?R7l1 and minor nectar sources of the Domin- would be well worthwhile to sow half hll[ ion. an acre or so in flowers adjacent to I' The periods stated in which native apiaries in pollen deficient areas. Peony I. fN' plants flower yield nectar can only be Roses {Paeoniaspp. Ranunculaceae}and given approximately for any named wallflowers {Cheiranthus spp. Crucife- area as there isa considerable fluctuation rae} are two kinds of flowers that are WINTER SOURCES between seasons and locations. heavy pollen producers and very attract- Coastal areas are always some weeks ive to bees over a long period. OF NECTAR AND POLLEN 4 5

III! Strawberry Clover (Trifolium fragifer- given to soft granulation. Grows to Parapara (Heimerliodendron brunonian- a slight amount of grey plasticine-like um). 8 m. um). pollen of poor quality. This is another late flowering clover that A small tree up to 10m in height. The As an experiment, the rearing of queens assists colonies in this district. It is in Brush Wattle (Albizzia lophantha). leaves are opposite and 10 to 40 cm was attempted on one occasion and 60 full bloom in April and favours swampy A small tree with spreading branches. long. The flower panicles are hairy, 4 per cent of the cells grafted were accept- locations and saline soils. The flowers The young branchlets and leaves are cm to 10 cm across, green in colour. ed and the virgins successfully mated. are pale pink and the heads have covered closely with soft hairs or down The flowers appear to be present The queens proved themselves the fol- a strawberry appearance, hence the (pubescent), the flowers are yellow and throughout the year in this district. Bees lowing summer to be the equal of those name strawberry clover. The honey is in axillary . Found in waste are sometimes found adhering to the raised in the spring, but the hives in sticky of the tree. They collect a which they were reared were completely white and of delicate flavour, but is places and forest margins in the Auck- ruined. rather light bodied. land Province, in areas where the pale yellow pollen from this source. is plentiful surplus honey can be taken Confined to the North Island. Heath honey is medium amber in colour Houhere (Hoheriapopulnea). from hives. It yields from fate May until and has a flavour suggestive of well early August. The honey is water-white MaireTawake (Eugeniamaire). cooked marmalade. It is easily extracted A smallforesttree,up to 12 mhigh,also and remainsliquidfor a longperiod.Its known as lacebark, yielding abundance in colour and of excellent body. The This Maire reaches a height of 15 m flavour is reminiscent of rape honey. in favourable damp localities. This tree keeping qualities are excellent. Hives of nectar mainly in May. The flowers expertly prepar~d average a 25 kg sur- are whiteand star shapedand bloomin is conspicious because of its smooth Spiny Hakea (Hakeaacicularis). white bark. It flowers in terminal, many plus. A limited quantity of heath honey such profusion that the leaves are fre- has reached the market and has been Originally a hedge plant that has thrived flowered, short, flat topped panicles. quently concealed. Infavourableseasons, favourably received. and May is generally a good month for to such goodpurposein Aucklandthat The flowers are white and the fruit large red edible berries. The blooming period nectar gathering in Auckland, the bees it grows profusely on wasteland over Spanish Heath (Ericalusitanica). obtain a surplusfrom this source. Flower- a wide area. It is also found in South extends from June until August and Auckland where it appears to do as well bees eagerly visit the blossoms during Similar to tree heath (E. arboreal, but ing period extends from March until suitable weather. The nectar is clear and May. The honey is medium amber in as in the north ifallowedthe opportunity. more strictly erect in habit. The leaves colour with a strong but not unpleasant Spiny hakea flowers from June until very light in colour. The pollen is a dirty are rather irregularly arranged. The dull white. Found throughout the North flowers, corolla white to rosy, flavour. It is light bodied and if the cap- September. Its flowers are very minute, Island and north of the . pings are bruised runs very freely. but are worked freely by the bees for and stigmas d.eeppink, are in clusters at both nectar and pollen which is light the ends of the twigs. Found in both Pinl

Puriri(Vitexlucens). Manuka (). Grows to 20 m and has dull red flowers There are some 35 of manuka, in spikes almost the year round. The mostly belonging to Australia and three only mention I have read of this tree as to New Zealand. The New Zealand being of value to the beekeeper was in species are to be found throughout a manual out of print wherein it was Northland, and most of New Zealand, covering huge areas particularly gum- stated that the puriri wasworked freely land. by the bees for nectar. Hybrid varieties of all three species may The author was probably misled by the be found growing in areas occupied by abundance of nectar to be found in the one or all the parent strains from which flowers at all times and his having they originate. L scoparium is known to observed the bees visiting the flowers beekeepers as red tea trees, although the for pollen. Bees gather pollen freely flowers are white. It is from the red during the months of June and July. wood that it derives its name. The red The pollen is pale green in colour. The flowering Manuka is also red wooded bees are not attracted by the nectar of but is found only in largeareas north of the Puriri as the sugar concentration of Whangarei.Both these speciesof manuka the nectar is very low and remains in yield some nectar in June and July. almost the same condition throughout A surplus is seldom gathered at this time the year. However, if humidity remains but, like the Tree Lucerne, stimulates low enough, for long enough, the nectar colonies with resultant breeding and may attract bees. Northland to Gisborne. heavy consumption of stores. Kowhai (Sophora microphyl/a The main flow from Manuka may occur throughout New Zealand and the in September in coastal areas near Auck- Chathams and - S. Tetraptera- middle land and as late as November in parts of of the North Island). the Whangarei district. Tea trees will secrete nectar under almost any condi- One of the best known native early tion~ except during a period of cold flowering trees. In Auckland frequently winds. Manuka honey variesa good deal attains a height of 12 m. The flowers, both in flavour and consistency, being which are largeand golden yellow, burst influenced apparently by soil types, into flower before the appearance of the weather conditions and the intensity of leaves. compete with the bees for the honey flow. Honey of this class the copious quantities of nectar yielded produced on rolling limestone country by the Kowhai between late July and is noticeably of milder flavour, lighter in October, according to locality. colour and more inclined to leave the The nectar is securedwhen the flowers combs during extraction. Southern begin to droop, and when the flowers manuka lacks the thixotropicity of the TREE SOURCES age, causing the to shrink in northern species.Manuka is a fair source slightly from the calyx. A surplus is of pollen of a muddy white colour. OF SPRING POLLEN 8 9 Wattle (acacia). to October from the male catkins which Wattles, of which there are over 750 are borne at the tips of the branchlets. species, are valuable sources of pollen and a few contribute nectar. Of the Miro (Podocarpusferrugineus). species growing in New Zealand, some will be found to be in flower at all times The male and female flowers are pro- duced on separate trees of the Miro. of the year. The Australian blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon) is invaluable asa They are visited by beesfrom September to October for a whitish pollen. spring pollen source. The Black Wattle (Acacia decurrens), flowers from June Totara (). onwards. The Cootamundra (Acacia Pollen from Totara is white and very baileyana), flowers in July and produces attractive to bees from September to pollen so profusely that it litters the October. ground. Other common varieties include Silvery Matai (Podocarpus spicatus). Wattle (Acacia dealbata), Hedge Acacia A similar tree to the Totora, yielding (A. armata), Prickly Leaved Hedge a white pollen in October and November. Acacia (A. verticillata), SunshineWattle (A. discolor) and Golden Wattle (A. pycnantha) which yields nectar in July, Kahikatea (). August and Septemberfrom extra floral A very lofty pine bearing tiny catkins on nectaresat the baseof the leaves. the tips of its branchlets in September Wattle pollen rangesfrom dull to bright and October. The bees gather a white yellow. The Coastal Wattle (A. longi- pollen from the buds during this period. folia variety sophorae) also yields leaf nectar and surplus honey and is at Rimu (). times harvested from this source in the Warkworth district. The honey is extra The male flowers are produced in in- conspicuous green catkins at the end of light amber in colour and a mild to deli- cate flavour. erect branches. The females are solitary at the tip of curved branchlets. Worked for white pollen in September and Octo- Kauri (Agathis australis). ber. The flower cones are visited for pollen by bees from September to October. Male and female flowers are produced Radiata Pine and other introduced pines in separatecones on the same tree. The offer copious supplies of yellow-brown white pollen is gathered from the male pollen during the spring months. How- catkins. ever, the pollen i'Sdry and light and appearsto have little attraction for bees Kawaka (Libocedrus plumosa). except on rare occasions when little jENOtv'WOOf} White pollen is availablefrom September other pollen is available.

SPRING AND SUMMER NECTAR SOURCES 10 11 to 25 mm in diameter. Blue Gum is not Five Finger (Pseudopanax arboreus). this source in the South Island. Cherries Trailing St John' Wort (Hypericum Humifusum). a reliable honey plant and seldom yields Known to the Maori as Whauhau, five are on about a par with late apples, and under dry and windy conditions. Blue finger is a small tree growing in abund- if a sufficient area of cherry trees can be Favouring clay soil, the stems are num- Gum flowers in spring. The honey is found it may perhaps be worthless ance at the fringe of bush areasthrough- erous, 9 cm to 25 cm long. The flowers medium amber, rather light bodied, out New Zealand. The leaflets aretough, locating an apiary near them. are yellow, 1 cm in diameter and the cloudy and slow to granulate. The roughly toothed, in clusters of five, and Fruit trees are a source of pollen, part- leaves bluntly pointed, bluish green and flavour is suggestiveof muscatel grapes. 10 cm to 15 cm long. The flowers are icularly pears, but in this district much 7.5 mm long. Produces a plentiful supply Gums in New Zealand generally are only fragrant, green,borne in terminal umbels, superior sources can be found elsewhere. of orangecoloured pollen in August and a fair source of pollen which is always and bloom from July until the end of Apple and pear pollen is greenishyellow September. pale yellow or creamy to white in colour. September. and plums a brownish shade. No doubt Rangiora (). This plant is a reliable source of spring low sugar concentration of the nectar in The Crimson Rata Vine (Mqtrosideros nectar, sometil1)esyielding prolifically. this district is a disadvantage. However, This is a small bushy tree up to 7 m carminea). On one occasion I saw a number of reports from other districts do not give high, the branches densely clothed in A tall climber extending from Manganui hives treated for disease, having only much credit to fruit trees as a source of white tomentum. The leaves are dull to Taranaki. The leaves are egg shaped foundation, build comb and store nectar. green above, white beneath, 5 cm to with a reddish hue on the underside. a surplus of honey from this source. groves, which are undoubtedly 25 cm long. The flower panicles are The flowers aresmall andbright carmine, The honey is in the top light amber valuable in some countries, do yield drooping, usually terminal, numerous, flowers from August to October. The class, but the flavour is marked by a a little nectar to bees in the Auckland cream coloured and fragrant, blooming honey is light amber, light bodied and bitter oily after-taste. Province and are a good pollen source. from August to October. mild flavour. The pollen is yellow. The honey is light amber and of good A pure sample of this honey received Cultivated . flavour, but of light body and always Akepiro (Olearia furfuracea). from Raratonga, recorded 45 colour consumed in brood rearing. The bees A shrub-like tree up to 5 m in height. It is pointlessto discussto any extent points on the PFUND grading machine the value of orchard areasto beekeepers (medium amber). The flavour was gather honey dew from the trunk of the The branchesarevelvetyand twigs groov- in this district. My experience has con- trees in February in some seasons. This ed. The leaves are 5 cm to 10 cm long, pleasant with a slight bitter after-taste. tree is confined to the North Island. vinced me that they are next to useless. The honey remained liquid for five obtuse, stiff, occasionally obscurely I have too often found colonies of bees months and was particularly bright and toothed, silverly tomentose beneath. starving in, or adjacent to, orchards clear. A portion to which starter was Cape Weed (Cryptostemma calendula). Flowers white, in large heads, blooms containing fruit trees of many varieties added granulated in a normal manner. An introduced weed not unlike the August to October. A splendid source of in full bloom. I will, however,endeavour dandelion in appearance but with a larger yellow coloured pollen. Confined to the to describe some features connected North Island and replaced in the south Arum Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica). flower. Capeweedis capableof providing with fruit bloom that haveattracted my by other similar species of Olearia. attention. This is an early source of waxy white the bees with surplus honey in some pollen. Bees eagerly visit these lilies districts, but in most districts is of value Koru (Pratia physaloides). First, there can be no doubt that the from August onwards when pollen is in only in maintaining hive strength prior orchardist receives-all the benefits by short supply, recovering the sticky to the main flow. The honey is light A shrub up to 1 m in height. The leaves way of pollination services from col- white pollen from the yellowspadix of amber in colour, mild in flavour, with are alternate, membranous, ovate with onies located in, or within flight range the flower. a naturally course grain. petioles up to 10 cm long. The flowers of his fruit trees. On occasion, the bee- As a pollen plant Cape weed has few are distinctly blue in racemesof six to keeper suffers considerable loss in the 12. A very useful source of white colour- Speedwell (Veronica Arvensis). superiors among pasture plants. The destruction of his beesby spray poison- A field Veronica common in fields and ed pollen during Spring. Grows in the pollen is bright orange in colour. Widely northern part of the North Island. ing. waste places. It is an annual with spread-in the North Island and some I know of no source of nectar, slight as trailing stems about 15 cm long. The local areas in the South Island. flowers are small and blue and bloom Willow Herb (Epilobium spp.). it is, governed to a greater extent by The flowers first appear in August. weather conditions in respect to secre- profusely in August and September. A native wood or herb with willow like leaves. The flowers are in axillary or tion. Early blooming fruit trees are of Bees undoubtedly obtain a good deal Tasmanian Blue Gum ( glo- terminal spikes or racemes.The flowers no assistancein maintainingbee colonies, of honey from this plant as they are bulus). but do stimulate, (which could be disas- found on it in large numbers during the are comparatively large, having four terous), and supply some pollen. flowering period which coincides with Grows to 100 m and is a native of Tas- petals either white or pink. The plant Late flowering apples are of somevalue fruit bloom and is always more attrac- mania and a distinctive species with appears to favour damp places such as and I have observed nectar stored from tive to bees than is fruit blossom nectar. large sickle shaped leaves, and fruit, up ditches but is often found in drier loca- 13 12 tions. The flowering period is extended, Buttercups (Ranunculus spp.). bud on the stems. The flowers appear green tree with blackish bark and glossy alternate leaves. The flowers are small, commencing in September. Pollen There are a number of species of butter- between August and October and are gathered from this source has a bluish cup and all the common ones favour eagerly worked by bees. yellowish green and are produced in tint. The honey is white in colour, the axils of the leaves. The flowering wet conditions. The deep green serrated The honey is white, and possessesa heavy bodied and is sweet without any period is August to December. This leaves and bright yellow flowers are delicate flavour. The pollen is sticky and characteristic flavour. tree is a good minor honey source familiar to everyone. This is a valuable pale greenish white in colour. Found in localised areasin both Islands. producing a dark amber honey of fair honey and pollen plant. flavour but light body. Found in the Shepherds Purse (Capsella bursa-pastorisJ. The honey is dark, in the medium to dark Mangeao (Litsea calicaris). North and South Islands. An annualweedfound both on cultivated amber class, but possesses a pleasantmild A small tree of the laurel attaining land and in waste places.The leavesare flavour which blends well with other Patotara (Cyathodes fraseri). 10m to 15 m in height. The leavesare dull green, long, broad and slightly honeys. The Maori nameis Waoriki. Bees Bronze Heath is a member of the heath indented on the edges,and lie flat upon alternate, 10 cm to 15 cm long, pale do not appear to work buttercup to family. A 15 cm high erect or pros- the ground. The flower stalks often any extent during the early flowering brown when young. The flowers are cream delicate and fragrant growing trate straggling plant with close set much branched, are round, stiff and stage which is from August onward in four to five together. This is a good leaves having a thorn like tip. The carry small leaves,and are up to .6 m in this district. One species,a water plant, flowers are white and bell shaped and height, bearing small white flowers in honey plant in spring, flowering August produces a honey with a distinctly burnt large in proportion to the rest of the clusters at the top. The plant blooms in flavour. The pollen is yellow and very to early November. The honey is light amber and medium flavour. Con- plant. The fruit is a small orange drupe. early spring and sometimes continues helpful during dearth periods. Extremely abundant in all dry situations until the beginning of winter. The bees fined to the North Island. throughout New Zealand. obtain a thin pale nectar from this Wood Sorrel (Oxalis cernua). Tarata (). Yields greenish nectar of a medium source which is of assistanceduring the A common weed in the north and is dearth periods. Lemonwood is a beautiful white barked amber colour copiously. The flavour of plentiful in every orchard. The plant tree up to 12 m in height with palegreen the honey is frequently detected in our grows about 10 cm high, the leavesare undulate leaves on whitish twigs, and better quality honey. Although not un- Hange Hange or Pigwood (Geniostoma clover-like, and the light yellow flowers with largeflat topped umbels of fragrant pleasant in flavour, it is sufficiently dis- ligustrifolium). are borne in bunches. The flowering greenish yellow small flowers. The tinctive to lower slightly the grade of a A small shrub up to 3 m high with shin- period is August to October. Beeswork delicate flavoured line. Flowers from the blossomsfor nectar. compact mass of flowers appearsfrom ing pale green leaves4 cm to 7 cm long. August to early November. August until January, according to local- The flowers are small and greenish and This is a great nectar and pollen bearing ity. A yellow pollen is accumulated on grow in great abundance. Their scent is Bush Lawyer (Rubus cissoidesJ. plant. The honey is extra light amber, of the bees when working this source. very strong and'resembles that of a pig Tataramoa is a lofty climbing vine up to tine grain and good body while the sty. The honey is extra light amber and 15 m in length. The flowers are white, Konini (Fuchia excorticata). tastes as it smells. pollen is pale yellow. North and South pink or yellowish, plentifully produced Island. A small tree reachinga height of from 5 It is a reliable spring and in slender paniclesand are very fragrant. m to 15 m and having an irregular short in some years produces up to two supers Tataramoa flowers during August, Sep- Wharangi (Melicope ternata). trunk covered with papery yellow or of honey. The pollen is greenish yellow. tember and October, and yields a thin A small bushy tree 4 m to 6 m high with brown bark. The leavesare 3 cm to 10 Plentiful in the North Island and Marl- water white nectar and a pale greenish smooth grey bark from which bees cm long, silvery beneath, alternate and borough. The flowering period is August pollen. The fruit are red or orange and gather a gummy propolis. The leavesare lanceolate to ovate-Ianceolate. The to October, according to locality. the leaves are lance-shaped. Another shiny and yellowish green 7 cm to 10 flowers are drooping, about 23 cm long. slightly later flowering lawyer is Rubus cm long and the flowers small and green The calyx is dark purple and the petals Clematis (Clematis paniculata). australis which has yellow fruit and in axillary paniclesabout 2 to' 3 cm long. red-purple. The berry is called Konini Known to the Maoris as Pikiarero, round leaves,and provides the beeswith The flowers are in bloom from August by which the tree is erroneously known. a beautiful climber with thick and a similar nectar and pollen. to November when the bees gather a The true Maori name is Kotukutuku. glossy leaves.The blossoms are interest- honey that is dark and rather acid in The tree grows profusely on the fringes of the bush. ing in that they have no true petals, the Flowering Currant (Ribes glutinosum). flavour. This tree is found as far south white star-like parts being really seven An erect growing deciduous shrub with asKaikoura. The flowering period is August to . There is no doubt the clematis tri-foliate currant-like leaves, strongly December, during which time nectar makes some contribution to the hive as pungent and during spring, pendant Horipito (Pseudowintera axillaris). and pollen are freely secreted. The the bees work it for a very pale nectar racemes10 to 15 cms long of rosy pink Sometimes called the pepper tree and honey is light in colour, delicately from August to October. flowers are produced from each flower grows to 8 m high. This is a small ever- flavoured, but suggestive of slightly 14 15 overheated clover honey and is prone to The plant is very common in the North distinctive swampy, but not unpleasant Toropapa (Alseuosmiamacrophylla). early fermentation. Granulation is rapid Auckland district but less so further flavour. A shrub 1 m to 3 m in height. Leaves3 and the grain is smooth. The pollen south. The bees visit the plants very cm to 4 cm long, oblong, glossy; the from all three varieties of Fuschia is freely, particularly in showery weather flowers pinkish, drooping, solitary or in deep blue in colour and very sticky. and towards the end of its flowering WeepingWillow(Salix babylonica). one to three flowered fascicles,appear in Found in the North and South Islands. period. The honey is medium amber in An early, but very limited source of pol- September and October, yielding a pale colour, strongly scented and similar in len and nectar. Pollen light yellow. nectar keenly sought by bees. flavour to Hange Hange. Yields also Coprosma: Chou Moellier(Brassicaspp.) a little yellowish green pollen. Heketara (Oleariarani). There are over 40 species in the genus Grown as a seed crop, and is a valuable ranging from small prostrate shrubs to Spiderwort or Himalayan Honeysuckle A small tree up to 7 m high with source of nectar. It flowers in late Sep- (Leycesteria formosa). branches and leavesclothed with whitish trees 10 m high. All appear to be wind hairs. The leaves are alternate 5 cm to tember and October. Another honey pollinated, the dust-like pollen is to be An evergreen shrub 2 m to 3 m high, very similar to rape. seen at times flying in clouds. originally a garden escape, has establish- 15 cm long, coarsely toothed. The However, bees do work this source for ed itself in largeareas in North Auckland, flower heads, which are white, are in HedgehogI!arsley(Torilusnodosa). but also exists in both islands. It has large wide spreading panicles. This is a pollen when compelled to do so when good pollen plant, but only flowers Found on roadsipes and beneath hedges other pollen bearing plants have nothing green hollow stems with opposite leaves, and worth particular mention. The to offer. Of this I have indisputable 8 cm long, broad at the baseand pointed profusely in some years during September to October. The pollen is flowers are white or pale pink, yielding proof having observed bees working the at the tip. The flowers are white and pink in drooping spikes. The flowers are yellow hued. a water white nectar which is of great Karamu in an area otherwise completely value to bees during dearth periods. devoid of pollen. In addition I had the enclosed within pairs of purplish bracts. only pollen in the hives analysed and In some years this is a good honey plant, Poataniwha (Melicopesimplex). bearing nectar from August to January. Manatu or Ribbonwood (Plagianthus verified as coming from the Karamu. betulinus). A small tree up to 4 m high. The leaves The pollen was salmon in colour. The The honey is light amber and full flavoured. are alternate 1 cm to 2 cm long with Karamu (C. lucida) is a tree up to 5 m A small deciduous tree, 6 m to 15 m broad flat stems. The flowers 5 mm to in height with glossy leaves 10 cm to high, found throughout New Zealand WildTurnip (Brassicacampestris). 8 mm across are greenish white, fas- 25 cm long. The flowers are numerous and the Chathams. The leaves are cicled in the branches. Workedfreely by and greenish white in colour, blooming An annual weed of cropping areas alternate, lobed or coarsely toothed bees in September and October for nec- from August to December. growing up to 1 m in height. The leaves and soft. The flowers appear in large tar. The honey in the combs is very are like those of a turnip but are dissim- terminal panicles up to 25 cm long, light. It has a very acid flavour. Abund- Karaka (Corynocarpuslaevigatus). ilar in the arrangement of stiff, bristly very numerous, small and green. The ant in both Islands. Attains a ,height of 15 m and is found hairs. The flowersarebuff to pale yellow. flowering pe_riod is from September on the coast in both islands. The leaves An attractive source of pale nectar in to October, when bees visit the flower Hawthorn (Crataegusoxyacantha). for nectar. The honey is medium amber, are laurel-like and glossy. The flowers early spring when the turnip is a definite A familiar hedge plant, flowering in are 4 to 5 mm in diameter, in erect, competitive source with fruit bloom. light bodied and of good flavour, but September and October. The bees a surplus is never gathered by the bees. much branched panicles and are white The pollen is pale yellow. freely visit the abundance of snow in colour. Very attractive to bees from When young, the Ribbonwood forms white bloom for both nectar and pollen. August to December for a pale yellow Crack Willow(Salix fragilis). a massof interlacing branches. The honey is dark amber in colour but pollen and a clear amber viscid nectar, This is a medium sized, introduced tree believed to be toxic to bees and brood. possesses a pleasingflavour. The pollen and a valuable early source of nectar Scarlet Pimpernal (Anagallis arvensis). is dull white. and pollen throughout New Zealand, Tauhinu (Pomaderrisphylicifolia). An annual weed found in waste and flowering September to October. The cultivated land in both Islands. The Whau ( arborescens). A strongly sc~nted heath-like shrub. honey is light amber and mild flavoured. A small tree up to 6 m high, possessing The stems and branches are closely A surplus is occasionally obtained in stems are partly trailing and the leaves opposite, small and without stalks. The an abundance of large white flowers covered with fine greyish down. The some districts. The pollen gathered from the catkins is yellow in colour. flowers are small and scarlet, but some- worked freely by bees during September leaves are small, rounded in shape and times blue, with five petals, appearing and October. The flowers are produced grey green in colour. The small pale dull Pussy Willow (Salix capreaea). during September and October. The in large drooping clusters. The honey yellow flowers are borne in broad and bees obtain a pale nectar from the and pollen are similar to that of the flattened, much branched clusters from An even earlier source of pollen and flowers. Koromiko. August to early November. nectar. The honey is light amber, of 17 16

., f Native Broom (Carmichaeliaaligera). is now happening to numbers of native ing above and white with down on the Corokia Cotoneaster is a rigid shrub A branched shrub, also known as Maka- plants. under-surface. The flowers are fragrant up to 3 m with interlacing black ka, growing up to 10 m in height having and profuse, mustard yellow in colour. branches. The leaves are alternate and an abundance of small pea-like flowers Tutsan (Hipericum androsaemum). The plant is visitedby beesfor approx- the flowers small and yellow. This light purple in colour. Auckland to Ta- A common weed thriving in the high imately three weeks from mid-Septem- shrub is a minor but useful source of ranaki. There are a number of other rainfall areas of both islandson the out- ber for nectar and pollen. The pollen is nectar, yielding from September to native species of Carmichaelia elsewhere skirts of bush areas. Up to 1 m in height creamy-white and the honey dark and Novembera pale thin nectar. in New Zealand. The introduced yellow- and growing usually as a shrub. The pronounced in flavour. Confined to the flowered broom is Sarothamnus sco- leaves are egg-shaped, 2 cm to 8 cm in North Island. Tawa (). parius (ex cytisus). length and are a rich "autumn" colour. Papauma(Griselinialittoralis). A fairly tall tree up to 25 m high with The Makaka flowers in September and The flowers are yellow with stamens in trunk up to 1 m diameter and smooth A larger type tree up to 17 m in height, October, while other species flower five bundles. This is a good source of blackish bark, slender branchesand pale, with pollen, a little earlier or later. Native and orange coloured pollen, flowers during usefulin providingthe bees narrow leaves, 8 cm to 10 cm long. The introduced brooms are valuable pollen spring and early summer. floweringin small green paniclesfrom September to November. Both trees are flowers are in slender panicles 5 cm to plants, the colour of which ranges from 8 cm across and greenish yellow. A cream to deep orange. C. racemosus, Puka (Griselinialucida). found throughout New Zealand. source of dark coloured nectar and dull known locally asScotch Broomproduces The shining broadleaf reachesa height yellow pollen in September and light amber honey of good quality. It is of 10m. The leaves are 7 cm to 17 cm Taupuka or Snowberry (Gaultheria November. This tree is found as far abundant in Northland, Waikato and long, always unequal-sided or lopsided antipodal. south as Kaikoura but reaches greatest parts of South Island. .at the base,very thick and shining. The An erect spreading shrub, with sharp development in Bay of Plenty. flowers are axillary' .panicles, green or narrow leaves about 1 cm long. The Fumitory (Fumaria officinalis - F. yellow, 8 cm to 16 cm long. Flowers flowers are small, pink or white and laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). Muralis). .September to October. Bees obtain a bloom in September to November. A small tree up to 6 m in height, favour- An annualweed found particularly in dull yellow pollen from this source, and Beesobtain a dark coloured nectar from ed as a hedge plant. The leavesare large cultivated fields and areas of high rain- nectar in some seasons. the Snowberry. Common to both islands. and shiny and the flowers small, white fall. It has a stragglinghabit and attains and lightly scented. Produced in great Mallow (Malva silvestris). a height of 30 cm or more. The leaves Barberry (Berberis glaucocarpa). profusion from September to November. are hairless and deeply divided. The A weed found on roadsides and waste Laurel is an excellent source of nectar, flowers, dark pink or purple, are less places. A biennial with kidney-shaped A prickly deciduous shrub very popular and sometimes yields extra floral nectar than 2Y2cm long; blooms in September leaves with crinkled edges. The flowers as a hedge plant. The branches are secreted on the under-surfaces of the and October but apparently flowers at are purple 2 cm to 4 cm in diameter and yellowish and grey. The flowers are leaves. any time under suitable conditions. Bees bell shaped. The blossoms appear during small and yellow. An excellent source of gather a little pale nectar from the September and October and supply the nectar and pollen. The honey is medium Kohia (Tetrapathaea tetrandra). flowers and dull yellow pollen. bees with a little nectar and ample to light amber in colour and of pleasant A slender climber with glossy leaves pollen of a white or pale mauvecolour. mild flavour not unlike buttercup. The up to 6 cm long, found from Auckland Kie Kie (Freycinetiabanksii). pollen is pale yellow, gathered Septem- to Banks Peninsula in the South Island. ber to November. A tall climber, with leaves up to 1 m in Privet (Ligustrum vulgare). The flowers are 1 cm to 2 cm across, length, very finely toothed, concave, Flowers September, October and pro- green, with beautiful coronas of white sheathingat the base.The flowersare fusely in November, and is very attractive Mingi Mingi (Cyathodes juniperina). or yellow filaments. This plant is plenti- in terminal spikes, 7 cm to 15 cm long, to bees. The flowers are white and A small tree up to 5 m high with black. ful on the edge of bush. A good source surrounded by white, fleshly bracts. fragrant. It is one of the spring nectar ish branches. The leaves are very small, of whitish pollen and a little nectar in The honey gathered from this plant is sources that combines with other minor rather rigid and pointed and light green September to December. water-white in colour, but possesses flows in building up colonies during a in colour. The flowers are minute, a strong unpleasant flavour. Consider- crucial period. The honey is medium greenish white. The plant is widespread Makomako (Aristotelia serrata). able surplus has at times been harvested amber, heavier bodied and possessesa in this district and throughout both Also known as wineberry, grows up to from this source. It is found in the bitter unpleasant flavour. islands, and yields nectar very freely, 8 m with reddish bark. The under- North Island and on the west coast of giving a heavy flow in some seasons.The surface of the leaves are reddish brown. the South Island. Flowers September to Kumerahou (Pomaderris kumeraho). honey extracts easily and is medium The blossoms produced in September October. Honey not now so plentiful as A branching shrub 1 m to 3 m in height. amber in colour and mild in flavour. to December are borne in large panicles, opossums devour flowers and fruit. This The leaves are 5 cm to 7Y2 cm long, shin- Flowers Septemberto December. at first faint rosy-red changing to a deep 18 19 It is a free producer of nectar and small claret colour. The blooms are worked Lupin (Lupinus arboreus). Bays. It is a small tree up to 10m in height with black bark and twigs. The limpid drops may be seen at the base of by bees for reddish pollen only during A spreading soft-wooded shrub found in leaves are thick and tough and much the corolla. The flowers are heavily periods of pollen shortage as the very both islands. The flowers are in racemes waved.The flowers are deep purple 1cm scented at night. It is extensively grown light dusty pollen appears to make usually sulphur yellow, but occasionally long carried in terminal umbels produced as an ornamental tree. The bees visit the little appeal under normal conditions. white to bluish. This is the only lupin from September. to early December. It flowers in numbers to gather the pale Found as far south as Stewart Island. I have noticed growing in a wild state. is extensively grown as a hedge plant. nectar and dark yellow pollen. North A light coloured nectar is obtained by It is found in waste places and particular- Confined to the North Island. and South Islands. the bees. ly on sandy soils. It flowers in September to December Haekaro (P. umbel/atum). Kaikomako (Pennantiacorymbosa). Spurrey (Spergulaarvensis). and is a useful pollen plant. The pollen Another useful member of this family, A small tree up to 10m high with light Also known as Yarr, a common weed is salmon in colour, yields a little nectar found only in North Auckland south to grey bark. The leavesareslightly serrated on deficient or acid soils. It is and in occasional seasons gives a heavy Gisborne. Flowers September to Decem- and blunt-ended, 2 cm to 10 cm long. a sprawling white-flowered and much flow. The honey is light amber and pos- ber. The flowers aresmallin terminal panicles branched annual with fine, needle-like sesses a distinctly oily flavour. 3 cm to 10 cm long, numerous, waxy Taraire (Beilschmiediatarairi). white and fragrant. Visited by bees for leaves which grow in clusters round the Foxglove (Digitalispurpurea). stem. Its flowering period is late a pale nectar. during September to Found from North Auckland to South- A tall tree reaching to 25 m in height, December. September and October. Insomeseasons with straight erect trunk. The leavesare where plentiful, the bees gather a little land. The stems are simple and erect up glossy, 8 cm to 15 cm long. The flowers Ake Ake (Dodonaeaviscosa). surplus from this source. The honey has to 2 m high. The leaves are ovate, and appear in branches panicles and are a strong flavour and is medium amber in downy on the under surfaces.The term- inconspicuous. Worked by bees during A small hard-wooded tree 5 m to 10m colour. inal metre of the flower stalks carry the September to December for a dark high with flaking reddish-brown bark. flowers, bell shaped, yellow, white or coloured nectar and a dull yellow The leaves are alternate 2 cm to 8 cm purple. Blooms in September and BlackMaire(NestegiscunninghamiiJ. pollen. Found in the North Island only. long. The flowers appear in few-flowered December and produces an abundance terminal paniclesand are green in colour. A large tree up to 16 m with whitish of white pollen. Black Locust or. False Acacia (Robinia Worked by bees from September to branches. The leaves are 2 cm to 5 cm Gonvolvulus is worthy of mention as pseudocacia). January for greenish yellow pollen and long, linear-oblong,obtuse and leathery. occasionally for honey of a light amber The flowers, 10 to 15 together, are a honey and pollen plant as it is very This tree has deeply furrowed dark widespread and trails over acres of waste brown bark branches bearing prickles. colour and strong flavour. Distributed greenish white blooming September to land covering such otll'ei"'plants as black- throughout the Pacific Islands. December. This is a useful pollen plant, Height 20 m to 25 m. Compound leaves berry. C. arvensisb(." bindweed has are slender and feathery up to 20 cm the pollen is a dull white. Confined to Taranga (Pimelealongifolia). the North Islandand Marlborough. a large pink or white.b~1 shaped flower long of up to 24 opposite leaflets about and blooms from September to April. 2 cm long. The flowers are scented, A shrub up to 2 m in height with C. verecundus is similar in appearance, large and white. Standards often tinged numerous narrow shiny leaves 2 cm to Ngaio (Myoporum laetum). blossoming in Novemberand December, with pink in pendulous racemes up to 5 cm long. The flowers are small, white preferring dry sandy soil. Calystegiasep- 20 cm long. in colour, silky and fragrant, borne in A small tree up to 10m in height with ium or Pohue is the most serious weed terminal heads. The flowering period is bright shining green leaves 5 cm to 10 of this and allied families. This is a splendid source of nectar, the Septemberto January.P. tomentosa is cm long. The flowers growingtwo to six honey being white and of delicate fla- a similar type of shrub floweringduring together are small and white spotted Its flowers are fragrant, long, bell vour. The pollen is pale yellow and is with lilac. The trees favour coastal shaped and white, blooming profusely the same period. These plants are from September to February. C. tugur- gathered by bees during ?eptember - readily visited by bees for a pale heavy regions and flower from September to December according to locality. bodied nectar. early December, yielding both pollen iorum (sand convolvulus) flowers from and honey. December to February as does C. sol- danel/a or Nahinahi, a lover of sandy The Kohuhu (Pittosporum tenuifolium). WildGeranium(Geraniumdissectum). '~I The honey is medium amber of good areas. All produce light yellow pollen in The tree is small, attaining a height of A widespreadweedin North Auckland, flavour and in some years a surplus is very large grains. Very pale nectar is 10 m with blackish bark and twigs. The but extends as far south as the Bluff. I~I gathered. The pollen is a muddy white. also stored by the bees. leaves are pale green, undulate. The A perennial with branching, trailing or The black buds of the trees are protec- flowers are dark purple, almost black, semi-erect stems, 30 cm to 60 cm long. II: ted by a gummy secretion collected by Karo (Pittosporum crassifolium). borne in axillary umbels from Septem- The leaves 5 cm to 15 cm long, are on bees as propolis. Found in the North and South Islands. Found in abundance in the East Coast ber to December. long, slender stalks. The flowers are 21 20 purpleandabout 1 cm acrossof twelve Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum). than 5 mm across. A source of light, light amber to medium amber and is to fourteen florets. In bloom from An annual, flowering in October, and a peppery-flavoured late spring nectar and mild to delicate in flavour. I have seen September to January when freely valuable honey plant when grown in yellow pollen. supers of surplus honey gathered from visited by bees for nectar and largedull sufficiently large areas. It is sometimes Hedge Mustard in a stony area not far orange pollen grains. grown for hay and is therefore worthy Charlock (Sinapisarvensis). from Auckland City. The honey is of of inclusion in a list of honey plants. An annual weed with an extended fine flavour, sparkling and an extra- Tutu (Coriaria arborea and C. sarmento- ordinary bright yellow colour. All yield sa). Honey from this source appears to be flowering period. The leaves are like' no different from white or red clover that of a turnip but vary considerably in pollen ranging from dull white to bright Small trees and shrubs with shining and isavailableearlier than these clovers. the number of stiff bristly hairs charac- yellow in colour. opposite leaves, four-angled branches Blunt broad .stipules in contrast to the teristic of the cultivated race. Grows to and long drooping racemes of flowers long pointed stipules in red clover and a height of 1 m. The flowers are golden Wild Rose (Rosa spp.). 15 cm to 30 cm long, small and reddish. alsike identify this plant. yellow but somewhat larger than those In some localities wild rosesare a useful The flowering period extends from of Hedge Mustard. The honey, like that source of both pollen and nectar follow- September to March and offers bees an Rough Clover (T. scabrum). of mustard, is light amber in colour: The ing as it does the early Manuka flow. enormous source of pollen. The nectar is very light in colour and A cloverthat trailsalongthe groundand flavour is delicate, but rather hot to the palate. extremely thin. The pollen is pale yel- On Rangitoto Island from September to favours poor soil and waste areas. The low. November is a dearth period of pollen leaves are very small, somewhat like the of a flower. The flowers are small Jointed Charlock or wild radish (Rapha- and the Tutu plants are covered with Gorse (Vlex europaeus). bees throughout the day collecting a and light pink with a whitish carolla. nus raphanistrum). Bees obtain whitish pollen from this A well-known hedge plant and in some dull greenish yellow pollen. The Tutu is Grows to 60 em tall with pale yellow, localities a seriousweed. It is a native of also a source of toxic honey dew under plant from October onwards. Found in white or lilac flowers. The petals are certain conditions. both islands. Europe and flowers throughout the year. veined,a goodsourceof lightcoloured As a pollen plant it is invaluable to bee- Subterranean Clover (T. subterraneum). nectar from October to December. keepersin the spring and autumn yield- Poroporo (Solanum aviculare). ing largequantities of pale yellow pollen. An annual clover thriving on second Hawkweed of Hawkes Beard (Crepis A soft-wooded 3 m high shrub with dark class soils, and in the drier areas of the capillaris). In Australia gorse is listed as a honey green oblong leaves 10 cm to 27 cm North Island and in Marlborough, Can- plant, and under certain conditions is long, found in both islands. The flowers, terbury andNorth Otago.Theflowering An annual weed growing to a height of capable of yielding nectar in New Zea- cymose, th ree to 10 together, usually period is October to November when 45 cm with variable leaves, lobed and land. During a particularly fine spring lavender, sometimes white, bloom from hairless. The flowers are yellow, similar in South Canterbury on one occasion a lightbut steadyflowof nectaris avail- to Dandelion but smaller. September to March. The source of a ableto the bees.Thehoneyissimilarto I observed bees working gorse for nec- mild flavoured, amber honey. white clover. tar. The weather was dull and sultry Mouse Eared Hawkweed (Hieracium following rain. The nectar was light in pilosella). Putaputaweta (Carpodetusserratus). Rape (Brassica napus). colour and bright and clear. A perennial spreadingplant with rosette A flat topped tree attaining a height of Grown for stock or seed mainly in leaves, long and hairy, whitish below, Dandelion (). 10 m. The leaves are alternate, slightly Canterbury and Southland. During downy, veined and marbled in appear- flowers solitary, yellow on leafless stalks A common herb growing in pasturesand World War II, some beekeepers in Can- 20 mm to 25 mm tall. Once confined to ance. The small cream fragrant flowers terbury obtained as much as 5 tonnes shows great vigour in damp areas.The are borne in broad and flattened clusters Canterbury but now found in the North flowers are yellow and daisy-like in of surplus honey from rape. The plant Island. - the centre flower usually opening first yields nectar from mid-October to mid- appearance,and make a fine show in the - and the whole cluster more or less early spring months, although some November. The honey is water white, Hawkbit (Leontodon taraxacoides). hidden among the leaves. The tree possessing a delicate flavour and fine flowers persist throughout the year. A biennial much like a dandelion in flowers from September to April. Large grained. It is very quick to granulate. The dandelion is of great value to colo- caterpillars and wetas frequent the The pollen is yellow. shape and size, but the leavesare not so nies during the building up period and trunk of this tree. The flowers are good deeply lobed. The flower heads are is worked by the bees even under sources of honey and pollen. The honey Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale). borne on a single unbranched flower adverseweather conditions. It is a free being light amber in colour, mild of An annual weed with large leaves like stalk. The flowers are bright yellow. yielder of vivid orange pollen, and a flavour with a slight similarity to gum. those of a turnip, a branched leafy stem All the above weeds are valuable honey good source of medium amb-erhoney of The pollen is a pale yellow. Common up to 1 m in height. The flowers are dull plants flowering between August and pleasant flavour, and good blending to the three islands. yellow borne in long spikes and no more February. The honey varies from extra qualities. 22 23 Mouse Eared Chickweed (Cerastiumvis- Turnip (Brassicarapa). areas in the South Island. Grows to 60 Cabbage Tree or Ti-Kouka (Cordyline cosum). Grown as seed crop in Otago and cm in height, the stems are round and australis). elsewhere as a root crop. When left to shiny with swollen knots and a general A tree sometimes attaining 17 m in Has slender straggly stems 30 cm long. seed it is a valuable source of nectar. red tinge. The leaves are simple with height. The small flowers are creamy The flowers are small,white, arranged in The flowering period is late October or occasional black blotch on the upper white, bell shaped and regular, carried small terminal clusters. Found in past- November. The honey is white and simi- side. The flowers are pink, very small, on much branched, 1 m long flower ures and waste places. Its value to bees lar to Rape in appearance but the flavour in dense clusters 2)12cm or so in length, stems. and blooming period is similar to S. and are borne at the end of branches. media. is distinctly turnip. The Cabbage Tree grows in either The plant flowers from October on- swamps or open country and produces Rata (Metrosiderosrobusta). wards. Beesgather a dark amber nectar White Campion (Silene albasyn Meland- with a decided "bite" from this source. a surplus every third year when it flowers dum album). The Northern Rata is a large forest tree profusely. The flowering period is late sometimes exceeding 30 m in height. October to mid-December. The honey Possesses broad dark green hairy leaves The leavesare much shorter and broader Hakea (H. saligna). is medium amber in colour, and of resemblingplantain and lying flat on the than those of the Southern Rata, but A tall, bushy glabrousshrub with oblong- medium flavour. ground. Hairy flower stalks attain up to the flowers appear to be the same and C. banksii is a long leaved variety of 1 m in height, branched, with white lanceolate leaves.The flowers are cream, flowers at the ends. The Red Campion are bright scarlet. The normal flowering in dense axillary clusters. Grown as cabbage tree and grows to a height of period for North Auckland is October 3 m. The flowers are white, strong scen- (S. divica) has shorter and more rounded a hedge plant in the Auckland Province. leavesand the flowers,paleatfirst,change and November, and December and Jan- ted and bloom in December.The honey uary further south. Much of the plant At Kerikeri, in Northland, most pro- from this source is rather acid in flavour. to bright red. Both varietiesbloom from life of the far north is hybridised and perties are enclosed by Hakea hedges. October onward. The honey from these the identification of species in many Here the plant attains exceptional height sources is dark amber, heavy bodied and cases is most difficult. This crossing of and depth. Flax (Phormium tenax). aromatic in flavour. Old European herbalists attributed miraculous proper- species probably accounts for a good Its dull reddish flowers are borne in deal of the out of season flowering of Surplus honey is frequently obtained ties to the honey of the Campions. from this source in the Kerikeri and large panicles regularly spaced on 2 m to many trees and shrubs. 3 m long flower stem and are in bloom There are 12 species of rata and all are Kaikohe districts. The quality of the frbm late October to January. The Daisy (Bellisperennis). prone to hybridisation and will also honey is outstanding being little inferior blossomssecrete a great quantity of pale A well-known pasture weed and worthy to that from clover. The flow is at its clear nectar. The structure of the flower of mention as in some seasons it is the cross with the Pohutukawa (M.excelsa). maximum in November. The honey produced from Rata is water prevents the bees entering the narrow sourceof a paleyellow pollenin Octo- white in colour, fine grained and of corolla, but they overcome this difficulty ber. Beesappear to work the flowers for delicate distinctive flavour. It granulates BlackMedick (Medicagolupulina). by inserting their tongues where the nectar in November every year but the very rapidly. This tree is not a heavy A somewhatsimilarplant to Burr Clover, petals overlap. supply is probably negligible. pollen producer, which is in colour found on limestone country. The flower creamy or dull white. Flax honey is medium to dark amber in heads are smalland yellow, later replaced colour, of poor flavour and coarse grain. Sowthistle (Sonchus oleraceus). by black seed pods.The bloomingperiod Pukatea (Laurelianovae-zelandiae). Fortunately a heavy flow from this Sow thistle or Rauriki and Prickly Sow- usually precedes that of white clover. source is experienced only every third thistle (Sonchus asper) or Puwha are A tall tree 25 cm to 30 m in height Bees visit the plants for a light golden or fourth year. The bees have been ob- and havinga pale bark. The leavesare closely related thistles, the only obvious nectar for a short period. The pollen served working flax at 5.30 a.m. This difference being in the leaves of the thick, opposite, 4 cm to 8 cm long, is yellow. plant is a good source of deep salmon latter variety, which are more prickly toothed and shining. The flowers are in pollen in all seasons. and waved. axillary racemes and very small. The Mairehau (Phebalium nudum). flowering period is October to late These thistles grow to a height of about November when bees visit the trees for A beautiful slender branching shrub Chickweed (Stellariamedia). 1 m and bear large numbers of pale a whitish pollen. Found in the North with reddish bark. The leavesare 2)12cm An abundant weed in cultivated soils. It yellow flowers in the spring of the year. Island and northern part of the South to 4 cm long. The white flowers 4 mm is a low sprawling annual 10 cm to 12 They are not a good source of pollen Island. to 8 mm across in terminal corymbs, are cm high with pale green tender leaves. but provide the bees with a small quan- highly scented. This is a good source of The flowers are small, white and cluster- tity which is pale yellow in appearance. Red Shank (Polygonumpersicaria). nectar from October to December, but ed, and bloom from October to March. They are, however, of more value as a A widespread weed in Auckland extend- the honey is dark and bitter. Rarely The bees gather nectar from this plant honey plant secreting nectar freely for ing south and is also found in damp found south of Thames. during periods of dearth. a short period. The honey is extra light 24 25 amber, granulates rapidly with a fine to December. Freely worked by bees mild but pronounced flavour. The Hokianga district. The plant secretes grain and mild flavour. for a deep yellow nectar. plants yield copious quantities of slate heavily, the honey being dark amber, WildCabbage(Brassicaoleracea). coloured pollen. extracts freely and possesses a fig Tawheowheo (Quintiniaserrata). flavour. The flowering period is,October A small tree up to 12 m in height. The A rape-like annual growing on sea cliffs Hinau (Elaeocarpusdentatus). to December. in both islands but often found inland. leaves are 8 cm to 15 cm long and A short tree with oblong-ovateleaves. roughly serrated. The whole plant is Similar to wild turnip having a single The flowers are small creamy white Mahoe (Melicytus ramiflorus). covered with small whitish scales. The vein on both sides of the pods. The borne in numerous racemes. The Sometimes called the Whiteywood be- flowers are pale lilac 5 mm in diameter flowers are yellow and unlike the wild cause of its white bark and timber, the turnip open below the unopened buds. flowering period is October and No- and borne in axillary racemes 8 cm to vember. In some seasons bees are maximum height of the Mahoe is about 10 cm long. The flowering period is Attains a height of about 1.5 m. Worked 10 m. October to November, and is freely by bees between October and December strongly attracted to the blossoms which yield nectar freely. The honey is worked by bees for a thin pale nectar. for a very light coloured nectar, and The flowers are greenish yellow and pale yellow pollen. light in colour and mild in flavour. very small, produced in fascicles upon A veryabundantplant in the Waitakere the branches below the leaves. The Ranges, and extends to Northern The pollen is greenishwhite.A related Taranaki and Hawkes Bay. Tawari (lxerba brexioides). leaves are ~blong, toothed on the edges, species,E. hookerianus (Pokaka) flowers and 5 cm to 8 cm long. The flowering A magnificent wide spreading ever- from November to February. The leaves Rewarewa(Knightia excelsa). period is late Oc'tober until the end of green tree up to 17 m in height. The are longer than those of the Hinau and January. The male and female flowers coarsely serrated leaves are thick and New Zealand Honeysuckle is a distinct- the flowers greenish white. Common to grown on separate trees and bees gather ive tree related to the Australian bottle tough, from 8 cm to 18 cm long. The both islands. an abundance of creamy pollen from brushes and is confined to the North large waxy white flowers, 25 mm or them. more across, are carried in flat panicles Island and Marlborough Sounds. The Oxalis (Oxaliscorniculata). The Mahoe yields freely a dark amber Rewa-Rewaattains a height of 30 m or and are produced from October to the Yellow Sour Weed or Wood Sorrel, more and flowers from October to the end of December. honey collected eagerly by bees when a prostrate perennial weed confined to end of December. The numerous tube- This tree is perhaps the most beautiful competitive sources have little to offer. in the New Zealand bush but is now lowland pastures. The leaves are clover- Common to both islands. (M. lanceola- like buds are set around a long floral like and brownish. The yellow flowers tus) is a much less common related axis. The buds have a unique method greatly reduced in numbers. It must are 12 mm across and bloom from Oc- of opening to expose the curious tangled have once been a major nectar source as tober to March. An excellent source of plant with blue flowers. It is excellent for honey and pollen and has an extend- flowers. Mainly a pollinated tree, it yields heavilyand is eagerlyvisited by deep yellow pollen. Abundant in both has proved of great value to bees. bees. The honey is a dull white in ap- islands. ed flowering period. It is not a completely reliable source of pearance, very sweetand mild flavoured, Milk Tree, Turepo (Paratrophismicro- and frothy. Its keeping qualities are not nectar, favouring wet years when it Titoki ( excelsus). phylla). yields heavily. The honey is medium good as the honey is high in water con- tent. Extends from Whangaroato Hawk- Attains a height of up to 20 m. The Derivesits common name from milk-like amber in colour, and has a slightly burnt flowers, fruit and panicles are clothed medium flavour, difficult to mask when es Bay. sticky juice that exudes from the bark with a rusty down. The whole of the when it is cut. Attains a height of 12 m. blended with other honeys. It is heavy ling Heather (Gal/unavulgaris). flowering panicles appear to be of red- bodied and will not always freely leave The female flowers, whitish green, are This plant is variable in habit from pros- dish-brown from the deep colour of the combs. The honey is slow to granu- the anthers. The leavesare alternate and produced in early Ocwber until Febru- late and possesses a very coarse grain trate forms several centimetres high to ary in short spikes or clusters. The male bushy shrubs up to 1 m high and acros~. 10 cm to 30 cm long. A source from flowers in catkins. Yields a greenish that is difficult to overcome. Its keeping October to December of a brownish The small leafy shoots carry racemes of pollen and pale nectar. Found in both qualities are exceptional. Rewa-Rewa pollen and light amber honey. Wasps pollen is light yellow. bells 6 cm to 10 cm high usually a islands. purplish pink, produced through late (Vespa germanica) are attracted to the spring and summer. Large areas are bark of this tree. Found in the North Kamahi (Weinmanniaracemosa). Winter Cress(Barbareaverna). Island and part of the South Island. A biennial weed rather common on established in New Zealand in high alpine or tussock country. This is a A round-headed tree up to 25 m tall. roadsides and waste places, particularly famous Scottish heather and is a heavy (L. camara). The leaves are opposite 3 cm to 8 cm in Northland, but is found in both nectar producer in this country. Con- A large leaved shrub. The flowers are long, serrated, and dull green in colour. islands. The stems are rigid, erect and siderable quantities of cut comb honey either yellow or red in dense heads. This The flowers are white and in axillary or angled, the leaves lobed, the flowers have been exported from this source. plant is fairly widespread, but in the terminal racemes 2 cm to 10 cm long bright yellow.'In flower from October The honey is reddish in colour and of north a very large area exists in the and bloom from November to January, 26 27 honey is distinctive although mild re- (Cichorium intybus). according to locality. .Kamahi trees are and scrub covered country. The shrub minding one of dessicatedcoconut. A perennial herb attaining a height of found as far north as Hokianga County attains a height of up to 2 m and has 1 m and is found in pasturesand waste and extend asfar asStewart Island. a distinctive appearance with its erect Rama Rama (Lophomyrtus bullata). places.The leavesare large,smooth and Pure Kamahi honey is probably the branches. The leaves are pointed and A reddish, blister-leaved shrub, up to 8 tooth shaped. Chicory flowers bloom worst flavoured honey produced in New club shaped about 3 cm in length. The in successionand are slightly larger than m in height, flowering in November, Zealand. It is bitter, and accentuates flowers are found at the tips of branches those of the dandelion. They are bright December and January, and is found with age, predominating the flavour of in dense clusters. They are orange blue in colour. Bees eagerly seek the mainly in the North Island. The flowers blends. Its colour is extra light amber. coloured with a dark purple centre. ar~ white and arefollowed by red berries. creamy white pollen which is available The pollen is whitish. during the months of November and Bees are attracted to the flowers in Grows well in damp places. Worked December. Chicory secretes nectar November and where the plants are freely by bees for a pale yellow pollen Southern Rata (M. umbellata). and a little nectar. freely during showery weather. It is Seldom exceeds 20 m in height. The sufficiently plentiful are able to secure water white and very light bodied. a good surplus of honey. The honey is leavesare a glossy green, smooth, sharp Rohutu (Lophomyrtus obcordata). pointed and narrow for their length of very similar to that of the Blue Pine, White Clover (Trifolium repens). 2 cm to 10 cm. The flower is bright being light amber in colour with a pleas- A relative of the Rama Rama with smiill Clover honey is the mainstay of New crimson appearing in short, broad heads. ing distinctive flavour. heart-shaped leaves and white flowers. Zealand bee'keepi.ng.It bringsthe highest Flowers at the same period as the Rama The stamens are numerous as in all price on the world's markets and gener- speciesof the genus. It occurs from the Sweet Clover (Melilotus spp.). Rama, freely visited by bees, and grows ally sets a standard for all other honies. in both islands. Waikato district southwards, but is not The great American honey plant is The plant is an introduced perennial common in the North Island or on the grown in relatively few areas in New adapted to a wide variety of soils and eastcoast of the South Island. It favours Zealand, but is freely naturalised on Tar Weed (Parentucellia viscosa). conditions, but does not thrive on acid mountain and sub-alpine areas and is sandsnear Napier. The plant is a biennial An annual about 30 cm in height. The soils and nectar secretion is retarded abundant on the west coastand southern and does not flower until the second leavesare 4 cm long and deeply marked, during periods of high humidity. part of the South Island and Stewart year. It is a tall much branched plant growing from the main stem.The flowers The main flow from clover may occur at Island. It flowers from late November bearing numerous white or yellow are 2 cm long with bright yellow corollas any time from early December to early onward throughout the summer, accord- flowers. It thrives in all types of soil and growing directly from the upper part of January according to locality and ing to altitude. The honey is similar to on river banks, quarries and railway the main stem. The plant is sticky to the weather conditions. In North Auckland the Northern Rata. embankments. It is little sown in past- touch. Favours clay soil and moist the flow may begin in early November ures. The flowering period commences places in both islands. Yields heavily in and continue intermittently until mid- Wild or (Allium vineale). in November and continues until late November and December. The honey is February. Here the flow is never heavy A bulbous perennial with slender erect February. The honey is white in colour light amber in colour and possesses a and crops are always light. Volcanic soil stems clothed below by sheathing bases and the flavour slightly vanilla-like and distinct cinnamon flavour. induces exceptional plai1t development of leaves.The flowers are numerous and delicate. It granulatesrapidly with a fine in Northland, but crops are poor. The small, purplish to white in colour. This grain. best returns in Northland are obtained is a fairly widespreadweed in Northland Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). from swamp land. Clover pollen is a and Auckland. Blue Pine Weed (Psoralea pinnata). Found in pastures and roadsides and is brownish shade of green, almost . A native of South Africa. Blue Pine has an introduced perennial. It reaches the The honey produced is light amber in spread throughout North Auckland, height of about 30 cm and possesses lotus Major (Lotus pedunculatus). mlour with a peppery flavour, which Great Barrier Island and parts of the The marsh birdsfoot trefoil of Europe, improves with age.The flowering period long feathery leaves. The flower heads South Island and Waikato, and thrives are white, about 6 mm across and found throughout New Zealand, grows is late November. A. triquetrum abun- on rough clay country and amongst well in North Auckland and thrives on dant in Auckland province. White assembled in clusters. On some soils in secondary growth.llt is a shrub attaining the clay of the far north. The bees work flowered, pollen yellow, honey white dry seasonsthey take on a pinkish hue. a height of 1 m to 3 m. The flowers are it during November and December. and peppery. A valuable early spring pea shaped and blue with white wings, source. Pollen from this plant is dull creamy The cappings produced from this honey yielding nectar heavily in November. white and is gathered in November and bear a distinctive yellow appearance. The honey is extra light amber and of December.The beesdo not appearto Honey from Lotus Major is very heavy Bush Pea (Pultenaea daphnoides). good body. Granulation occurs very work Yarrow for nectar, but this may bodied, occasionally remaining in the A native of Australia and has become slowly resulting in a coarc;egrain. This is be because of other sources offering at combs after a normal time in the ex- IIII established over a wide area in North easily rectified by the application of a this time of the year. tractor. It is of excellent flavourand Auckland. Bush Peafavours waste land fine grained starter. The flavour of this 29 I1III1 28 Bush Ramblers ( australis) extra light amber in colour. The pollen Gooseberries (Ribes grossularia) are also and (M. axil/aris). Nectarsecretion beginsin late November. is deep yellow. L. corniculatus is an In wet seasonsthe sugar concentration a valuable source and in some areas in equally good honey and pollen source. Two native rambling climbers, found in of the nectar appears to be too low to Southland wild gooseberries assist colo- both islands. The former has a grooved attract the bees until mid-afternoon. nies to build up in early summer. The The Hairy Lotus (Lotus angustissimus). twining stem with 5 cm heart-shaped The flowers offer ample greenishyellow honey is light amber in colour and the leaves. The flowers are in spiked pan- Thrives equally well on clay soils as its pollen which covers the nectar gathering flavour mild. The pollen is pale greenish icles and greenishin colour. Its blooming bees. No more pollen than that required yellow. close relative, Lotus Major. The bees period is from November to December work this source freely for both honey for immediate needs is collected, so and it produces whitish pollen and a fair Lucerne (Medicago sativa). and pollen, which is very similar to that flow of nectar of a dark amber colour copious is the nectar flow. This is un- produced by Lotus Major as I havenever when stored in the combs. fortunate as good Pohutukawa areas are The of America is not a reliable been able to detect a difference in hives often zones of pollen shortage. honey plant and is subject to damageby M. axil/aris covers the ground and some- In the Awanui district in the extreme gathering from both sources. It is con- times forms a small bush. The flower~ insect infestation. The flowers must be fined mainly to the North Island. north, a single yellow flowered Pohutu- are produced singly in the axils of the tripped for effective pollination, a func- kawa can be seenflourishing amidst its tion rarely performed by nectar-gather- Supplejack (Ripogonum scandens). leavesbeing greenishwhite to white and scarlet flowered relatives. Pohutukawa bloom early in October. The honey and 109 bees..,J'heflowering period is mid- A black and brown stemmed climber. honey is water white when extracted, pollen are similar to the first mentioned November"to la\e January. Its long racemesof green coloured in- and granulates in a matter of days. Un- species. All plants of the The honey blends well, being water conspicuous flowers at the ends of the are useful for honey which rangesfrom less processed the grain is generally shoots provide the bees with a good coarse. The unique salty flavour of the white in colour, of dull appearance medium to dark amber, is of good when granulated and a flat delicate supply of nectar during November to flavour and slowgranulating. They also honey is much appreciated. It does not January. provide good winter stores. flavour. The pollen is pale brownish yel- produce pollen at periods when there is low. often a dearth. Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus). Native Rock Lily (Arthropodium cir- Tumatakuru or Matagouri (Discaria ratum). Pohutukawa (Metrosiderosexcelsa). Firmly established throughout the Auckland district and common to the toumatouJ. A plant with conspicuous white flowers A large much branched tree which wetter areas of both islands. Swamp A thorny shrub sometimes called Wild 2 cm across and pink stamens. The reachesa maximum height of about 50 areas in North Auckland are dominated Irishman and growing up to 6 m in Rock Lily is 1 m high and has narrow m and is confined to the Auckland by blackberries. The flowers are pink height. It is a spiny bush with few leaves, glossy leaves. Its flowering period is Province. It is a coastal tree, but never- sometimes in clusters, but usually singly November and December and it is fa- and white and bees gather a considerable theless grows well inland. I have also amount of nectar from the blossoms in in the axils of the thorns. The flowers voured by beesduring November, when seen it used as a hedge plant and when most seasons. Much of the honey are small, white and plentifully produced they gather brownish pollen and a little kept wellcut back can easily be control- gathered in North Auckland and perhaps in close axillary fascicles. It blooms watery nectar. This plant grows profuse- led and provides excellent shelter. the Waikato that is credited to clover from November to January and is ly on cliffs and rock faces. The leaves of the Pohutukawa are about undoubtedly comes from blackberries. attractive to bees for both nectar and 8 cm long and have a white downy The bees work the blossoms between pollen. The pollen is pale yellow and the Taramea (Aciphylla colensoi). under-surface. The flower buds are November and January. nectar has a greenish hue. This shrub is An erect rigid perennial herb having snow white and the flowers a brilliant The honey is water white in colour, not known in the South Island as Matagouri. long sword-like leavesforming a dense scarlet. (The smaller-leaved Kermadec easily distinguishable from clover in fla- A surplus of honey is sometimes pro- duced. It is a medium amber colour and tuft up to 60 cm in height, found from Island Pohutukawa which is widely vour. When granulated it has a dull mild flavoured. the Volcanic Plateau to the centre of grown in gardens and streets, flowers waxy appearance. A honey dew is pro- the South Island. The flower stalk from time to time throughout the year). duced from blackberries by the passion reaches a height of up to 2.5 m and In suitable seasonsthere is perhaps no vine hopper. It is dark in colour and has Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria). bears umbels arranged in a stout, erect finer source of nectar than the Pohutu- a fig like flavour. This is also a valuable Also known as purple loosestrife, it is and leafy , greenish yellow in kawa. High winds during the flowering pollen plant yielding a dull greenish a hairless annual, with angled sprawling colour. The flowering period is Novem- season play havoc with the flowers and white pollen. stems 15 cm to 45 cm in length. The ber and December. Nectar is heavily greatly shorten the duration of the Other berry fruits valuable as nectar leaves are about 2 cm in length, very secreted and in dry seasonsthe plants honey flow. Dry seasonsresult in the sources are raspberries (rubus idaeus), narrow and stalkless. Small pink flowers are alive with bees.The nectar is water heaviest flows from Pohutukawa, the which sometimes yield a surplus of with six stamens appear from November white and can be shaken from the bees working the blossoms from dawn excellent honey, white in colour and to January. Found in moist places, flowers. until after dusk. mild flavoured. The pollen is white. drains and roadsides. A source of greenish 30 31 yellow pollen and dark coloured, strong honey is similar to the best from white leavesare long, narrowand glossy, and source of pollen of a pale deep yellow flavoured honey. clover. Its pollen is a distinctive dark Its flowers white to mauve, borne in 10 shade. The plant also produces thin green. cm long racemes, are in evidence from water coloured nectar which is collected Nikau (Rhopalostylis sapida). Nov~mber until early March. The pollen by bees. Hemlock (Conium maculatum). A palm up to 10 m in height. The leaves is light buff in colour. Napuka (Hebe Akatea (Metrosiderosalbiflora). grow to about 1 to 3 m in length. The A poisonous weed with carrot-like speciosa) is a strong garden shrub with flowers are white. Nikaus are found leaves.The flowers are white, small and angular branches and thrives when in The white-flowered rata vine is a climb- usually in dense bush. Bees work the grow close together forming a large reach of salt spray. The flowers are deep ing shrub confined to the North Island. flowers for nectar from November to showy head of bloom. Hemlock favours purple, borne in dense racemes, and The leaves of the vine are long and February. The honey is water white, damp situations and flowers from come into bloom in September or Octo- slender with pointed ends and the very light bodied and of rather pro- November until February. It has been 'l ber, continuing until late January. flowers are small and white, appearingin nounced flavour. Grows as far south as reportedfrom other districts that bees December and January. Akaroa. shun this plant, but during periods of ,~ (Borago officina/is). This speciesof vine is confined to forest Rata Vines ( diffusa). dry weather in the Auckland district the A biennial herb growing up to 1.5 m in areas, whereas other rata vines seem to The small rata vine flowers from No- beeswork the flowers freely, apparently prefer forest outskirts. Nectar gathered for nectar. There are a number of weeds height with a strong flesh stem, much vember to January. The flpwers are branched. The leaves are narrow and from Akafea is light in colour and body pinkish or yellowish-white. This species belonging to this family (umbel/ifers) coarse haired. The flowers are round, and the pollen i~a dull cream shade. having the characteristic carrot-like of vine may beidentified by its unusually bright blue and 2 cm in diameter. The foliage. They flower between November small shining dark green leaves. blooming period is November to March Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea). and June and are all attractive to bees. A surplus of medium amber, strong when the beesgather a fawn pollen. The A perennial weed. It has a rosette of lobed leavesfrom which arisesthe leafy flavoured honey is frequently secured Toro (Persoonia toru). honey is whitish with a yellowish grey from this source. The honey is heavy tint. The plant is widespread in the flower stalk to a height of up to 1 to 2 m. bodied and often will not freely leave A small tree, confined to the North North Island but less so in the South The stalks bear dense trussesof flower the combs. The pollen from this rata Island, growing to a height of 4 m, with Island and is usually found in clumps on heads,yellow in colour. vine is a dirty white shade.This climber tough leaves8 cm to 20 cm long, glossy flat country. This cannot be described as a honey on both sides.The racemesof six to 10 is common to both islands. plant in the sensethat it is of value. It flowers are salmon in colour. Bees are Maori Dock (Rumex flexuosus). yields heavily at the same time as the The Akatawhiwhi (Metrosideros fulgens). attracted to them during November to A much-branched herb with long narrow main nectar sources and contaminates February by golden nectar. A lofty climbing Ratavine havingflowers leaves, greenish red and waved at the the crop with its penetrating bitter un- borne in large terminal, much branched Hebes or woody veronicas. ends. The flowers, rising on a stalk pleasant flavour. The honey is light am- clustersof orange red to crimson colour. above the leaves, spread profusely and ber or extra light amber in colour. This The Akatawhiwhi appears to be con- A feature of the New Zealand flora. are intricately branched. The flowering weed is firmly establishedin many dairy- stantly in flower in North Auckland but Over 100 wild specieshavebeen describ- period is November to March. A useful ing and scrub areas and is found as far its normal flowering period is November ed and there are many garden forms. source of dull coloured pollen and south asSouthland. to April. During suitable weather condi- Those that I havebeen able to givesome minor source of nectar. tions the bees are continually working attention to are all worked by the bees Monoao or Wood (Dracophyllum this rata vine. for nectar and pollen. Sorrel (Rumexacetosa). sp.). I have obtained pure samples of Koro- No surplus honey appearsto be gather- 1 Sorrel is worthy of mention in a list of A low spreading shrub up to 60 cm, the miko honey from Rangitoto' Island and ed, but the nectar is a very pale colour plants of value to beekeepers because it bark is dark grey to blackish, branchlets and the pollen is a pale pinkish shade. have found it to be of good quality. I is the source of a dull coloured pollen are slender and reddish brown. The The vine is common to the North Island This plant grows as far south as Inver- often available when little other pollen leaves are crowded towards the tips of and parts of the South Island. cargill. The colour is light amber and the is offering. the branchlets, flowers are small and flavour delicate. In poor years for Pohu- bell like in terminal racemes.The colour Red Clover (Trifolium pratense). tukawa, Koromiko honey is extracted as Native Forget-me-Not (Myosotis spathu- varies from red to white. The plants are Flowers from November to February. It a straight line. lata). members of the heath genus and occurs is not grown to any great extent in the The pollen of the Hebe family is white Abundant in stony areas, a prostrate from the North Cape to Stewart Island. north but is a major seed crop in the to dull yellow. Members of this family perennial herb with narrow hairy leaves. Monoao is very plentiful from Taupo South Island. It is sensitiveto soil condi- common in the Auckland district are The flowers are small, 5 mm across, County to Tongariro. Koromiko (Hebe stricta), a handsome " tions and temperature but yields nectar white with yellow centres borne in race- The honey is dark amber in colour and freely under suitable conditions. The shrub growing to a height of 4m. Its mes from December. This is a good strongly flavoured, herbal and musty in ,1, , 32 33 1"

" , I', [1 character. Secretes from early December Wireweed or Knot Grass (Po/ygonum A fine grained white honey is produced The nectar is secreted on the inner side to late February. avicu/are). from this plant. It is also a useful source of the sepals. of pollen. Found on roadsides and waste places, Agrimony (Agrimoniaeupatoria). The honey is light amber peppermint but is also a common pest in cultivated flavoured, rather light bodied and has a Another weed from which the bees ground. The flowers are borne in clusters fine grain. The pollen is dull yellow. In obtain valuable supplies of pollen. The in the angles above the leaves and are Lime or Linden (Tilia sPp.). some years these trees are a nuisance as leaves are green on the upper surface, small and inconspicuous. The flowers Grown in city streets and parks and they are a source of heavy yields of grey and downy beneath. The flowers are white in colour with a tinge of red flowers from November to December. sticky honey dew. which have a faint lemon odour are yel- and are in full bloom during December low and crowd one above the other on and remain until March. long spikes, and yield a greenish yellow It is a useful honey plant in backward pollen in December to February. clover seasons yielding sufficient honey Chinese Privet (Ligustrum chinense). where plentiful to meet colony require- ments. The honey is strong flavoured This tree was origil"1allya hedge plant, and dark. (P. capitatum), a widespread but thrives so well in this climate that weed with a useful source of dark nectar individuals develop into very largetrees. long after the main honey flow is over. It comes into bloom in December and continues through January and Febru- Ongaonga or Stinging Nettle (Urtica ary, during which period it yieldsa heavy ferox). flow of nectar. The flowers have a feathery appearance and are cream in A tall shrub with woody stem and colour, blooming profusely. The honey, variable, coarsely serrated leaves8 cm to if mixed with the main crop, can lower 15 cm long with rigid stinging hairs and small greenish white flowers in racemes. the general quality considerably. In its It blooms from Decemberto Marchand pure state it possessessuch a strong and bitter flavour that it would be of value yields a fair quantity of pale nectar. only for manufacturing purposes. It is Whitish pollen is gathered from the cat- a bright yellow colour at the top of the kins of the male flowers. The nectar light amber class. The pollen of Chinese from the Ongaongahas a cloudy appear- Privet is sticky and greenish white in ance, but the honey granulates extra colour. light amber with a delicate flavour Thistles similar to thistle. The pricklyand purple floweredvarieties, Horehound (Marrubiumvulgare). either biennial or perennial, are grouped in the genera, Cirsium, Carduus and Common in waste places and where Si/ybum, and are commonly known as sheep congregate. It is a perennial, grow- Scotch, Californian, Star thistles, etc. ing 30 cm to 60 cm high, much branches Where they occur in large masses, and covered with crinkly woolly leaves particularly the Californian (Cirsium 20 cm to 30 cm long. The flowers are arvense), they prove of considerable small and white, produced from Decem- benefit to the beekeeper. ber to March. The honey is a greenish The pollen is easily mistaken for that of medium-amber shade and of pronounced the Tree Lucerne being creamy yellow flavour. in colour. The pollen of the Star thistle (Centaurea so/stitialis) is dull purple in Goats Rue (Ga/egaofficina/is). colour. Thistle honey is very white in A semi-woody :Jerennialconfined to the colour, of good grain and delicate vicinity of the Manawatu River. The flavour, and is available from December flowers are pea like, purplish to light to Marchaccording to species. blue in colour, appearing in December. 35 34

J >\1

Ornamental Gums. Tree Manuka (Leptospermum ericoides). leaves are whitish. Each joint of the of this Ratavine are in cymes, three These thrive in the upper half of the flowered, axillary. Petals small white. Also known as Kanuka, this is the white stem is studded with sharp spines. The leaves are lobed and lancehead shaped. North Island and are found in sheltered Found in the North Island and parts of wooded variety of Manuka known as places as faras Wellington. the South Island. Flowers in January white tea tree. These trees attain a height The flowers are greenish in clusters in of well over 10 m at times. Tree Manuka the axils of the leaves. and February. The honey is light amber (Eucalyptus leucoxylon rosea). of good body, and the flavour mild. is not a reliable source of nectar, but in Little honey is secreted by this plant At times considerable surplus is harvest- some seasons a surplus is obtained. The but it is mentioned because the under- A hardy late autumn flowering tree of ed from this source. medium size. The leaves are slender and nectar is visiblein the base of the corolla side of the leaves exudes considerable of the flowers for a short period early in grey and the masses of flowers delicate Towai or Tawhero (Weinmannia silvi- quantities of honey dew in some seasons pink. A good pollen source and yields January. during the late summer. Honeyproduced cola). During February the flowers are alive a copious supply of light amber honey A dark barked tree attaining a height of in the spring in some seasons is very of good flavour.. with native bees loaded with rich cream dark and strong flavoured. up to 18 m, is related to and similar to coloured pollen which Tree Manuka the Kamahi. The leaves, however, are Scarlet Gum (Eucalyptus ficifolia). produces in large quantities. Another Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). compound, 5 cm to 15 cm foliolate. characteristic of this tree is the honey A wild herb found on roadsides and in This is a striking tree flowering in The whit~. flowers are produced in dew observed sparkling on sooty trunks January and February when great slender racemes,. 5 cm to 15 cm long. waste places, particularly in coastal clusters of brilliantly coloured flowers late in February. The honey is white regions. Fennel attains a height of 2 m. The normal flowering period is January but has a full flavoured Manuka taste. The flowers are bright yellow, minute, ranging from crimson and scarlet and February, but the tree blooms at through shades of pink and orange. The times as early as December and again in Inkweed (Phytolaccaoctandra). and grow close in massmaking a conspi- cuous display. They have a very shiny leaves are dark and glossy,the pollen is June. A perennial shrub, soft wooded, form- appearance and are sticky and covered cream in colour. This tree gives a heavy Honey from this source has been receiv- ing round bushes about 1.5 m in height. flow of honey which usually follows the ed from as far south as Taumarunui. The branches are brittle and the leaves with bees even in showery weather in main honey flow. The honey is rather The flowers yield heavily a honey not January and February, which is usually dark and the characteristic flavour 8 cm to 10 cm in length. The flowers' a period of dearth in Auckland. The unlike Kamahi, but of considerably are small, green or white and inconspicu- honey is heavy bodied and extra light associated with honey from gum trees is better flavour, 'and a top light amber ous, arranged on upright tapering spikes amber in colour. The flavour and aroma pronounced. colour. It can, however, be rather sickly 12 cm to 15 cm long. The weed is is strong and unpleasant like aniseed. and the flavour persists even when found as far south as Wellington on Stringbark or Mealy(Eucalyptuscinerea) blended. The pollen of this tree iswhite. waste land and sometimes in new pas- Vipers Bugloss(Echium vulgare). A medium sized tree with typical stringy ture. During dearth periods in late Jan- bark on the lower branches but smooth Catsear (Hypochoeris radicata). Known as Blueweed in U.S.A. and as Bearsa close resemblanceto Cape Weed, uary bees visit the flowers for a pale Patterson's Curse in Australia, it is an and white towards the extremities. The thin nectar. young leaves are silvery blue and the but is taller growing and produces more annual or biennial with a deep pene- flowers which are somewhat smaller. flowers cream. An autumn flowering Kowharawhara (Asteliasolandri). trating tap root and a stem 60 cm to Catsear bursts into flower in the late 90 cm high. The leaves are 10 cm to 20 tree very attractive to bees for pollen This perching plant of flax-like appear- and dark medium flavoured honey. summer, usually following a period of cm long and both stems and leaves are rain. It is a valuable honey plant. The ance is found in South and North Auck- covered with bristly hairs. The flowers land. Flowering, in large spreading Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum: Solana- honey is extra light amber in colour are crowded on numerous curved lateral with a pleasant delicate flavour, slightly panicles of creamy white flowers, occurs 2.5 cm long spikes, 2 cm in diameter; ceae). in January and February when the nectar acid. It is rather a light bodied honey and funnel shaped, reddish purple in the bur' Flowers late January and February and somewhat slow to granulate. The pollen is very attractive to bees. The honey is and bright blue when opened. white in colour but of objectionable is the source of dark amber honey with which is bright orange is a poor source a strong unpleasant flavour. Not a great of protein as the rapid growth of the flavour. A. banksii, Wharawhara and The plant is found occasionally in the A. nervosa, Kakaha,both ground species, deal of this honey is produced, but plants following rain results apparently North Island and is abundant in the some has been sent to the Honey in abnormal chemical constituents as flower in November, and A. trinervia, northern part of the South Island, known as Kauri Grass,flowers in Febru- MarketingAuthority. the bees reared on it lack vitality and where it secretes heavily in January and quickly die. ary and March. February and has an extended flowering The Aka (Metrosiderosperforata). period. The honey is white, dull in ap- A tall woody climber with leaves 1 cm Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium). Bathhurst Burr (Xanthium spinosum). pearance when granulated, delicately long, thinning, the under surface cover- A perennial creeping weed found in A shrubby annual 20 cm to 1 m in flavoured but rather flat and fine grain- ed with glanular dots. The flowers height. The stem and underside of the ed. both waste places and pasture lands. It

38 39 -- prefers damp sour soils. The leavesare pale purplish to whitish. The flowers are pale red and are produced in thick The flowers are cream in colour and up to 2 cm long with very short stalks. appear in the late summer and are very clusters. Beesfreely work this plant for supply some pollen. The honey is light The flowers are pale blue, crowded in attractive to bees. nectar during February and March. The amber and of fairly mild flavour. There bunches surrounding the stem at inter- The honey is medium amber and the honey is light amber in colour and of are many speciesof Eucalypts through- vals. The whole plant has a strong flavour somewhat minty, but much pronounced flavour. out New Zealand, and most are valuable aromatic odour. The flowering period superior to pennyroyal. No attempt honey and pollen trees. is December to March. The main flow should however be made to blend it as, Mana Gum (Eucalyptus virninalis). from this source is in January and unlike pennyroyal, its flavour does not Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus pungens). Also known as white gum, this plant February. lose its potency. This honey is much yields heavily and a single large tree will A rapid-growing and much-branched The honey is aromatic like the plant and appreciated in Europe. Surplus honey plant growing to a height of 6 m and to from this source is confined mainly to materially assistthe store position in the possessesa pronounced minty flavour. autumn for a number of colonies. This great depth. Grown considerably as a Central Otago. It is light to medium amber in colour. speciesis easily recognisedby the broad hedge. Flowers from late March and The grain is very fine and granulation is April and is very freely worked by bees, Sunflower (). arrow design in which the buds are rapid. Much favoured for "starting" grouped, and the whitish resinous sub- particularly during the period of dearth. Although principally an annual garden purposes. It can be successfully blended, stance to be found on the leaves, the The flower? are an orange yellow. The plant, it is the sourceof a copious supply but the honeys must be carefully chosen. result of Aphides sucking juice from the honey is medium amber in colour and of autumn nectar and pollen, and may leaves and smearing leaf surfaces with of poor flayour. . lancewood (Pseudopanax crassifolius). prove to be one of the few plants excrement. Also known as Horoeka, a large spread- worthy of cultivation expressly asa bee Burr Clover (Medicago hispida). plant. The pollen ranges from light The flowering period extends from ing tree 6 m to 20 m in height. The February until April and the honey A closerelative of Black Medick,flowers juvenile leavesare long, thin and deflex- yellow to dull orange according to the in the autumn and early winter. The sunflower variety. The honey from the produced is amber in colour. It contains ed. The adult leaves are much shorter. considerable air and is of medium weeds have a prickly covering from The flowers are small and whitish green, sunflower is amber coloured and mild of flavour. The white flowers are a fair which the name burr clover is derived. produced in loosely arranged terminal flavour. source of pollen. The flowers are carried in clusters and umbels. The flowering period is January are very numerous. Boxthorn (Lycium horridum). to April. Great numbers of bees are This is a valuable source of nectar in observedworking the flowers for nectar, An erect densely and stoutly branched Peppermint Gum (Eucalyptus bridge- North Auckland at a period when breed- in late February; The nectar, pressed hedge plant with small leavesand white siona). ing has decreasedvery little and there is flowers. An excellent source of nectar from the bees' honey sacs, is light in This species is not very plentiful, but a almost a dearth of nectar. The honey is colour and heavy bodied. Common to during February and March. In some few stands are to be found in the very light bodied as appears to be the both islands. years good surplusesare obtained from Auckland district. It is a medium sized case with most late honeys in the this source mainly in Taranaki. The tree with a spreading crown and pendu- north, with the exception of heath. Giant Groundsel (Senecio sylvaticus). honey is of fine texture with a unique lous foliage. The tree holds its buds for The colour is extra light amber. The A close relative of the notorious Rag- delicate flavour and is extra light amber about 12 months and flowers in the pollen from this plant differs from other wort. Giant Groundsel is abundant on to white in colour. The pollen gathered autumn from February to April, flower- clovers in that it is deep yellow. Some dry banks and gravelly places and is an from this plant is creamy white. ing heavily every secondyear. varieties are found in the South Island. annual growing 60 cm to 90 cm high. Its flowers are cylindrical in shape and Silver Weed (Pontentilla anserif18). yellow in colour. The Groundsel is a val- A perennial weed with silvery leaves uable source of late summer pollen having white hairs on the underside. The which is light yellow in colour. The bees flowers are solitary and bright yellow. also work this plant for its very light The normal flowering period is February amber nectar. and March, but may bloom throughout the year under hedgesand trees. A useful Thyme (Thymus vulgaris). source of dull white autumn pollen and A branching sub-shrub with woody some nectar. stems about 50 cm in height. The leaves are hairy with inrolled margins. The Mint (Mentha viridis). flowers appear in clusters three to six in Sometimes called spearmint, is common the upper leafaxils. The corollas are in wet places and ditches. The flowers

40 41 ,.-I:>. The distances bees fly in search of 2. The effect of distance on produc- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS pollen and nectar have a definite bearing tion of colonies varied with the years, with distance having less effect in the on their value as producers of honey Dr Robert C. Cooper, botanist, ex Auckland Museum; and for pollination. Practical beekeepers two better producing years than when and students of bee behaviour have conditions were less favourable. A dis- Chris Eckroyd, Herbariarist, Forest Research Institute, Rotorua. generally believed that bees will fly tance of 1.6 km to 2.5 km had little between 3 km and 10 km and still effect on production in the average to greater distances when they have to do better than average years. The average so. The selection of apiary sites should of the three years indicated that, BIBLIOGRAPHY be based on tne generaleconomy of bee beyond the 1.6 km location, colonies flight as it is related to honey produc- produced less as the distance increased. i) H.H. ALLAN, "Naturalised flora of NewZealand", 1940. tion. 3. When located within a good source ~!.") - "Flora of New Zealand", Vol. I, 1961. ! III) T.F. CHEESEMAN,"Manual of NewZealand flora", 1925. A study of the flight range of honey of nectar and pollen, the greatest con- centration of bees occurred within the (iv) A.R. CLAPHAMet ai, "Excursion flora of the British Isles", 1968. bees and their distribution within nectar (v) L. COCKAYNE and E.P. TURNER, "The plants of New Zealand". producing areas was made by E.C. Kert first .8 km but with a spread of at least 4.5 km from the apiary site. Further, (vi) F.W.HILGENDORF,"Weeds of New Zealand".... (1933b) in Colorado and Wyoming while some of the bees were found in (vii) F.N. HOWES, "A dictionary of useful and everyday plants and their during the summers of 1927, 28, 29 and various fields in different directions 30, under the Auspices of the United common names", 1974. . . from the apiary, the majorconcentration (viii) R.N. LAING and E.W. BLACKWELL,"Plants of New Zealand", 4th ed. States Bee Culture Laboratory. The undated. studies were divided into three parts (1) took place in one general direction from their hives. More bees were found in (ix) A.L. POOLEand NANCYM. ADAMS,"Trees and shrubsof NewZealand", the distances bees fly for nectar and fields 4 km from the apiary in the 1964. pollen (2) the effect of distance on their favoured direction than in similar fields production and (3) their distribution situated much nearer but in a different within nectar producing areas. direction. 1. Colonies were located at varying Sturtevant and Farrar (1935) carried on distances up to 13.6 km from a nectar further studies to determine the effects source with one apiary placed well with- in the same nectar sources, and observa- of distance on honey production and tions were made over three summers. found that their colonies located within the nectar source stored from 20.7 to The year 1927 was a poor year for honey production, 1928 was considered 26.6 per cent more than those located above average, and 1929 was of average 2.4 km away from the same source. value. Beutler (1951) determined that her On all three years the bees from the experimental bees used 10 mg of sugar different stations returned with sweet per hour of flying time and reasoned clover pollen and nectar, the greatest that the nearer to the source of supply distance flown from the hives to the the colonies are located, the greater will irrigated area being 13.6 km, one way. be the number of trips they will make How much further the bees flew within with a greater net gain. She assumed the nectar sources was not determined. that the bees would exhaust their supply of nectar nearby before going At another location in Wyoming bees further afield. from a commercial apiary were observed to fly from one irrigated valley, in Ribbands (1952) reported that a for- which they generallyworked, to another aging distance of but 1.2 km reduced valley some distance away. The distance the mean total gain of colonies by 32 between the two irrigated regions was per cent over those located within the surveyed in the line of bee flight and nectar source in a good year and by as wasfound to be 7.5 km. much as 83 per cent in a poor season. The nectar and pollen plants were much Extract from "Beekeeping" by John E. the same in both valleys. Eckert & Frank R. Shaw.

44 45

"I THE FLOWER

by David Williams, Rotorua. IN ASSESSINGthe value of pollen and Pollen provides protein, fats, vitamins nectar sources it is worth considering and other elements and is essential in the relationship between the bee and brood rearing. Young bees under 10 the flower. days old must consume it to produce

47 the rich brood food on which the larvae To reinforce the attraction the baseof are fed and, as in all cases,they have the floral cup may also radiate in the their preferred species, whereas in the ultra-violet frequency range like a caseof nectar, the choice is a simple one beacon. and the bees go for those flowers pro- The two basic divisions in plant repro- ducing adequate quantities of nectar, duction as.meant here are between wind the more concentrated the better.. - and insect-pollinated species. PLANTING FOR PRODUCTION We might consider the functions of the Wind distributed pollen grains are small, flower parts. A flower hasthree parts of light, dry, and are produced in enormous direct interest to the beekeeper. These A list of useful source trees first published by the National Beekeepers' Association quantities. Species relying on wind-pol- of New Zealand in 1967. are:- lination usually have simple, small, (i) inconspicuous flowers and produce no (ii) anthers nectar. Thus radiata pine and other AUCKLAND (iii) nectaries exotic conifers are uselessfor beekeep- The stamen is the male portion of the ing purposes. The following trees are of value in the Auckland district for either nectar or pollen. flower and consists of filament and On the other hand, the pollen grains It remains for the NZ Forest Service and others to d~cide those most suitable for anther. The filament is, as the name intended for insect-distribution are com- inclusion in their tree planting programme: implies, a slim spike on top of which is paratively largeand slightly sticky. They Hakea H. saligna; nectar. attached the pollen-containing or hold- are usually ridged in some way to allow False Acacia Robinia pseudoacacia; nectar - pollen. ing anther. for expansion and contraction. Pohutukawa Metrosideros excelsa; grows very well inland as well as on the coast. A ring of these usually surrounds the It takes only one pollen grain to fertilise Puriri more solid, central pistil which, if com- a flower. The grain settles on the stigma Vitex lucens; a useful winter pollen source. Tanekaha plete, consists of the swelling ovary at and protrudes a pollen strand through a Phyllocladus trichomanoides; helpful where pollen shortages the base, the columnar style, and the thin spot in its covering. This tube con- are experienced. Totara stigma. tains the male gametes and these are Podocarpus totara; helpful where pollen shortages are The nectaries are located in the basal transmitted into the stigma, down the experienced. Rewarewa Knightia excelsa; honey and pollen. cup of the flower and nectar, as such, style, and so to the basal ovary where Hinau dentatus; pollen and nectar. has no functional reproductive role cell division and multiplication is im- Houhere Hoheria populnea; autumn source of pollen and nectar. whatsoever except that of luring a mediately activated. Yellow Kowhai Sophora microphylia; early nectar source. pollen-carrying and distributing insect Bees have a most important part to Tawari Ixerba brexioides; nectar. to the flower and causingit to passboth play in all this. They get their fair share Mahoe Melicytus ramiflorus; nectar and pollen. anther and stigma as it gathers the nec- of the pollen as a reward, and all the tar in the bottom. nectar. Kohekohe Dysoxylum spectabile; yields some nectar and pollen MaY-July. Titoki Alectryon excelsus; pollen and nectar. Tawhero Weinmannia sylvicola; nectar source in February. Kawaka Libocedrus plumosa; pollen. Matai Podocarpus spicatus; nectar. Putaputaweta Carpodetusserratus; nectar and pollen. Genus Pittosporum All excellent for either nectar or pollen. Ngaio Myoporum laetum; nectar and pollen; grows on coast, but does well inland.

The following trees are heavy nectar yielders in their natural habitat, but could not be reliably recommended to do the same in New Zealand. Experience has shown that plants which are good nectar bearers in one country frequently fail to produce honey when grown elsewhere.

Tree af Heaven Atlanthus altissima. Black locust Robina pseudoacacia. Tulip Tree .

48 49

1:'- il" LimeTree Tilia vulgaris or T. platyphylles. is more likely to be valuable for maintainingcolonies in the spring than for produc- Prunus amygdalus. ing surplus honey. Box Buxus sempervirens. There is an abundance of undergrowth vines and creepers, many of which are Chestnut Castanea sativa. nectar bearing, which are fostered by native trees. This is not so in a plantation of Horsechestnut Acaculus Hippocastanum. gum trees. There is only one gum tree recommended, and that to be planted at the Californian buckey A. californica. edge of the bush. Judas Tree Cercis siliquastrum. Gum Tree Eucalypti campbellii Canadian Juneberry Amelanchier canadensis. Koelreuteria K. Paniculata. Native trees Rata Metrosiderosrobusta. Japanese Acacia Sophera japonica. Pohutukawa Magnolia M. Grandiflora. Metrosideros excelsa. Maple Acerapp. aceraceae. Wineberry Makomako aristotelia serrata. Sumac Rhus typhina. Whitey-wood Mahoe. Melicytusramiflorus. Kowhai Sophora microphylla. Tupelo Nyesa sylvatica. Koromiko Gum Eucalyptus ficifolia. Veronica. Kamahi Algeroba Prosopis juliflora. Weinmanniaracemosa. . Kotukutuku New Zealand tree fuchsia. Fuchsia excorticata. Lacebark Hoheria populnea. Fivefinger Pseudopanax arboreus. WAI KA TO/BA Y OF PLENTY Karo Pittosporum crassifolium. Tarata Native trees. These are nectar bearing trees suitable for transplanting. Pittosporum eugenioides. Rewarewa Knightea excelsa; flowers in November and gives a dark, but NZ Honeysuckle Rewarewaor Knightia excelsa. mild flavoured honey. Exotic trees Fuschia Fuschia-excorticata; light coloured honey, spring flowering. Tree Lucerne Cytisus proliferus albus. Pohutukawa Metrosideros excelsa; light honey. Suitable for coastal Barberry Berberis glaucocarpa. areas and inland. Tawari Ixerba brexioides; light honey, flowers November-December. Willows Koromiko Hebe stricta; medium amber honey, flowers February- PussyWillow Salix capreaea. March. Crack Willow Salix fragilis. Exotic There are also many exotic trees w.hichyield nectar, but care should be exercised Pussy Willow Salix capreaea; listed as noxious weed in Waikato. to see that, if trees are planted in mass, it should not generally alter the fine flavour Crack Willow Salix fragilis. of our honey. Lime Tilia vulgaris. Tagasaste Cytisus proliferus. Heath Erica usitanica; honey for spring feed. HAWKES BAY-EAST COAST NORTH ISLAND False Acacia Robiniapseudoacacia; black locust. Pepper Tree ; a South American tree, flowers January The following list of trees contains some of the most valuablenectar bearing trees early February. Bees greatly attracted to it. suitable for planting by the State Forest Service, River Control Councils etc.: Coral Tree Erythrina crista, E. galli and E. indica; summer flowering. Willow Salix fragilis,Salix babylonica, and Salixcapreaea. Bees greatly attracted to it. Unable to indicate type of Kowhai Sophora microphylla. honey produced. Bloom somewhat like Red Kowhai. Kotukutuku Fuschia excorticata. Fairly hardy and grows rapidly. Pohutukawa Metrosiderosexcelsa. Eucalyptus ficifolia Crimson flowering gum; flowering period January-February. North Island Rata Metrosiderosrobusta. Eucalyptus saligna Flowers in August and September, white flowers. Tawari Ixerba brexioides. CabbageTrees . Five Fingers Pseudopanax arboreus. TARANAKI/MANAWA TU Titoki Alectyon excelsus. Native trees are often favoured for the dual purpose of preventing soil erosion and Acacia Floweringvarieties, mainly for pollen. nectar yielding in preference to Australian gum trees. The nectar from these sources Hinau Elaescarpusdentatus. 50 51 CANTERBURY The following is a list of trees which are of some economic importance to beekeep- ing, and could perhaps be suitable for soil conservation and river control purposes INDEX in the Canterbury district. Natives A Bindweed...... 18 Mako mako Aristotelis serrata. Acaciaarmata...... 10 Blackberry...... 31 Acacia baileyana...... 10 Black locust...... 21 Kaka Beak Clianthus puniceus. Blackmaire ...... 20 Cordyline australis. Acacia dealbata...... 10 CabbageTree Black medick ...... 24 Kotukutuku Fuschia excorticata. Acacia decurrens...... 10 10. Rewarewa Knightia excelsa. Acacia discolor...... 10 Blackwattle...... Rata . Acacia longifolia var sophorae . . . . . 10 Blackwood,Australian...... 10 Kowhai Sophora microphylia. Acacia melanoxylon...... 10 Bluepineweed...... 28 Veronicas Various. Acaciapycnantha ...... 10 Blueweed,American...... 36 Lacebark Hoheria. Acacia verticil/ata ...... 10 Borage...... 33 Acaciafalse...... 21 Borago officinalis ...... 33 Others Achillea millefolium...... 29 Boxthorn...... 40 Wattles Various. Aciphyl/a colensoi...... 30 Brachyglottis repanda...... 13 Barberry Berberisglaucocarpa. Agrimonia eupatoria ...... 34 ~rassica campestris ...... 16 Gums Various. Agrimony ...... 34 Brassicanapus...... 22 Willows -Weeping S. babylonica. Agathis australis ...... 10 Brassicaoleracea...... 26 Pussy S. capreaea. Aka ...... 39 Brassica rapa...... 24 Crack S. fragilis. Akatawhiwhi ...... 32 Broad leaf ...... 18 Tagasaste Proliferus cytisus. Akatea ...... 33 Bronze heath ...... 15 Ake ake...... 21 Broomintroduced...... 18 Broomnative...... 18 Akepiro...... 13 I Albizzia lophantha...... 6 Brushwattle...... " 6 OT AGO/SOUTH LAND Alectryon excelsus...... 27 Burrclover...... 41 Alfalfa...... 31 Bushlawyer...... 14 The variety of vegetation that would be of use to the NZ Forest Service,catchment Allium triquetrum...... 28 Bushpea...... 28 boards and others, is more limited than in warmer latitudes, but this list of native Allium vineale...... 28 Bushramblers...... 30 and exotic shrubs and trees may be suitable in Southland and Otago. Alseuosmia macrophyl/a...... 17 Buttercups...... 14 HorseChestnut Acaculushippocastanum. Anagallisarvensis...... 17 Japanese acacia Sophora japonica. Aristoteliaserrata...... 19 C Kowhai Sophora microphylia. Arthropodium cirratum ...... 30 Cabbage tree...... 25 Kamahi Weinmanniaracemosa. Arumlily...... 12 Cal/una vulgaris...... 26 Lime T. platyphyllos, T. maximo, T. Americana. Asteliabanksii...... 38 Calystegiasepium ...... 20 Hybrid Lime T. Orbicularis. Astelianervosa...... 38 Calystegiasoldanel/a ...... 20 Miro Podocarpus ferrugineus. Asteliasomndri .38 Calystegia tuguriorum ...... 20 Sycamore Acer pseudo-platanus. Asteliatrinervia...... 38 Campion...... 25 Lowland Ribbonwood Gaya Iyalli. Australianblackwood...... 10 Capeweed...... 13 Laburnam Laburnam Vulgarii Avicenniaresinifera...... 6 Capsel/abursa-pastoris ...... 14 Rewa rewa Knightiaexcelsa. Carmichaeliaaligera...... 18 Rata Metrosiderosrobusta. B Carpodetusserratus...... 22 Veronicas Various. Barbareaverna...... 26 Catsear ...... 39 Willows Golden, straight and pussy. Barberry ...... 19 Centaurea solstitialis ...... 34 Wattle Cootamundra and black (BaileyanaandDecurrens). Bathhurst burr ...... 38 Cerastium viscosum ...... 25 Gum trees., Beilschmiedia tarairi...... 21 Charlock ...... 23 Beilschmiedia taliva ...... 19 Chicory...... 29 Tree lucerne and weeping willow do not generally survive in these parts, but Berb.eris Bellis perennis...... 25 Chickweed...... 25 Darwinii will also be attractive to tuis. Berberisglaucocarpa ...... 19 Chickweedmouse-eared...... 25 52 53 Chinese privet...... 34 E~eagnuspungens...... 41 Hakeaacicularis ...... 6 Karaka " " 16 Choumoellier...... 17 Elaeocarpus dentatus ...... 27 Hakeasaligna ...... 24 Karamu. .16 Cichorium intybus...... 29 ...... 27 Hakeaspiny...... , 6 Karo... . .20 Cirsium arvense...... 34 Entelea arborescens ...... 17 Hangehange...... 14 Kauri. .. .10 Citrus...... 12 Epilobiumspp...... 13 Hawkbit ...... 23 Kaurigrass. ..36 Clematis paniculata ...... 14 Erica arborea ...... 7 Hawksbeard ...... 23 Kawaka...... 10 Clover burr...... 41 Erica baccans ...... 7 Hawkweed .23 Kiekie...... 18 Clover crimson ...... 22 Erica lusitanica ...... 7 Hawkweed mouse-eared ...... 23 Knightiaexcelsa .26 Clover red ...... 32 Eucalyptus bridgesiana...... 41 Hawthorn ...... 17 Knotgrass. .34 Clover rough...... 22 Eucalyptus cinerea...... 39 Heath,bronze...... 15 Kohekohe . .. 6 Clover strawberry ...... 6 Eucalyptus ficifolia ...... 39 Heath,pink...... 7 Kohia. . .19 Clover subterranean...... 22 ...... 13 Heath,spanish...... , 7 Kohuhu ... . 21 Clover sweet...... 28 Eucalyptus leucoxylon rosea ...... 39 Heather...... 26 Konini.. . .15 Clover white...... 29 Eucalyptus viminalis ...... 41 Hebespeciosa...... 33 Koromiko. . .32 Coastalwattle...... 10 Eugeniamaire...... 7 Hebe stricta ...... 32 Koru...... 13 Cootamundra wattle...... 10 Hedgeacacia...... 10 Kotukutuku. .. .15 Conium maculatum ...... 32 F Hedgemustard ...... 22 Kowhai. . . . 8 Convolvulus arvensis ...... 20 Hedgehogparsley ...... 17 Kowharawhara 36 False acacia ...... 21 Convolvulus verecundus ...... 20 Heimerliodendron brunonianum. . .. 7 Fennel...... 38 Kumarahou ...... 18 Coprosmaspp...... 16 Heketara ...... 17 Coprosmalucida ...... 16 Five finger...... 12 Helianthusannuus...... 40 Flax ...... 25 L Cordyline australis...... 25 Hemlock...... 32 Flowering currant...... 14 Coriaria arborea ...... 22 Hieracium pilosella ...... 23 Lacebark ...... 2 Foeniculum vulgare ...... 38 Coriaria sarmentosa ...... 22 Himalayan honeysuckle ...... 16 Lancewood ...... 39 Fox glove...... 20 Corokia cotoneaster...... 19 Hinau ...... 27 Lantana...... 27 Freycinetia banksii ...... 18 laevigatus ...... 16 Honeysuckle, Himalayan...... 16 Lantana camara...... 27 Crack willow ...... 16 Fumitory...... 18 Laurel...... 19 Fumaria officinalis...... 18 Honeysuckle, New Zealand...... 26 Crataegusoxyacantha...... 17 Laurelia novae-zelandiae...... 24 Fumaria muralis ...... 18 Horehound...... 34 Crepiscapillaris...... 23 Horoeka ...... 40 Lemonwood...... 15 Fuchsia excorticata ...... 15 Crimson clover...... 22 Horopito ...... 15 Leontodon taraxacoides...... 23 Crimson rata vine ...... 13 Houhere ...... 6 Leptospermum ericoides...... 38 Cryptostemma calendula...... 13 G Hoheria Iyallii...... 6 Leptospermum scoparium...... 8 Cultivated fruits ...... 12 Galegaofficinalis...... 34 Hoheria populnea ...... 6 Leycesteria Formosa...... 16 Cyathodes fraseri...... 15 Gaultheria antipoda...... 19 Hypericum androsaemum ...... 18 Libocedrusplumosa...... 10 Cyathodesjuniperina ...... 19 Geniostoma ligustrifolium...... 14 Hypericum humifusum...... 13 Ligustrum chinense ...... 34 Cytisusproliferus ...... 7 Geranium dissectum...... 21 Hypochoeris radicata ...... 39 Ligustrum vulgare ...... 18 Giant groundsel...... 40 Lime...... 35 D Goatsrue ...... 34 I Ling heather...... 26 Dacrycarpus dacrydioides ...... 10 Golden wattle...... 10 Inkweed ...... 38 Litsea calicaris ...... 15 Dacrydium cupressinum ...... 10 Gooseberries...... 31 Ixerbabrexioides...... 26 Loosestrife...... 31 Daisy ...... 25 Gorse ...... 23 Lophomyrtus bullata ...... 29 Dandelion...... 23 Griselinialittoralis...... 19 J Lophomyrtus obcordata...... 29 Digitalis purpurea ...... 20 Griselinialucida ...... 18 Lotus angustissimus...... 30 Discariatoumatou...... 31 Gummanna...... 41 JointedCharlock...... 23 Lotus corniculatus...... 30 Dodonaeaviscosa...... 21 Gumpeppermint...... 41 K Lotus pedunculatus ...... 29 Dracophyllumspp. 33 Gumscarlet...... 39 Lotusmajor...... 29 Dysoxylum spectabile ...... 6 Gumtasmanianblue ...... 13 Kahikatea...... 10 Lucerne...... 31 Kakaha ...... 36 Lupin...... 20 E H Kaikomako ...... 21 Lupinus arboreus...... 20 Haekaro...... 21 Kamahi...... 27 Lycium horridum ...... 40 Echium vulgare...... 38 Kanuka...... 36 Elaeagnus...... 41 Hairylotus...... 30 Lythrum salicaria ...... 31 54 55 M Mouse-earedhawkweed ...... 23 Podocarpus to tara ...... 10 Rhopalostylis sapida ...... 32 Pohue 20 Mahoe...... 27 Myoporum laetum...... 20 ...... Ribbonwood...... 17 Maire ...... 20 Myosotis spathulata...... 33 Pohutukawa...... 30 Ribesglutinosum .14 Pokaka...... 27 Ribesgrossularia...... 31 Mairehau...... 24 N Mairetawake ...... 7 Polygonum avicu/are ...... 34 Rimu...... 10 Polygonum capitatum 34 Makaka ...... 18 Nahinahi...... 20 ...... Robinia pseudoacacia...... 21 Makomako...... 19 Napuka...... 32 Po/ygonum persicaria...... 23 Rocklily...... 30 Pomaderris kumaraho...... 18 Mallow...... 18 Nativebroom...... 18 Rohutu...... 29 Pomaderris phy/icifo/ia...... 16 Malva silvestris ...... 18 Nativeforget-me-not...... 33 Rosaspp...... 23 Pontentillia anserina...... 40 Roughclover...... 22 Mangeao ...... 15 Nativerock lily...... 30 Nestegiscumminghamii ...... 20 Poroporo...... 22 Rubus australis ...... 14 Mangrove...... 6 Rubuscissoides...... 14 Manatu ...... 17 NewZealandhonysuckle...... 26 Pricklyleavedhedgewattle...... 10 Manawa...... 6 Ngaio.'...... 20 Pricklysowthistle...... 25 Rubusfruiticosus ...... 31 Nicotiana tabacum...... 39 Privet ...... 18 Rubus idaeus ...... 31 Manna gum ...... 41 Manuka...... 8-38 Nikau ...... 32 Privet Chinese...... 34 Rumex acetosa ...... 33 Maoridock...... 33 Prunus /aurocerasus ...... 19 Rumex fIexuosus...... 33 Pseudopanax arboreus 12 Marrubium vulgare...... 34 o ...... Matagouri...... 31 Oleariafurfuracea ...... 13 Pseudopanaxcrassifolius...... 40 S Matai ...... 10 Oleariarani ...... 17 Pseudowinteraaxil/aris...... 15 Psora/eapinnata ...... 28 Salix babylonica ...... 17 Mealy ...... 39 Ongaonga...... 34 Salixcapraea...... 16 Medicagohispida...... 41 Oxalis ...... 27 Puka...... 18 Pukatea...... 24 Salix fragilis ...... 16 Medicagolupulina ...... 24 Oxaliscernua...... 14 Sand convolvulus...... 18 Medicagosativa...... 31 Oxaliscornicu/ata ...... 27 Pultenaea daphnoides...... 28 Puriri...... 8 Sarothamnus scoparius...... 14 Muehlenbeckia australis ...... 30 Sarothamnusracemosus...... 14 p Pussywillow...... 16 Mueh/enbeckia axil/aris...... 30 Scarlet gum ...... 39 Melandrium album -see Silene alba .25 Papauma...... 19 Putaputaweta ...... 22 Puwha...... 25 Scarletpimpernel...... 17 Melicopesimplex...... 17 Parapara ...... 7 Seneciojacobaea...... 33 Melicopeternata...... 15 Paratrophis microphyl/a ...... 27 Q Seneciosylvaticus...... 40 Melicytus ramiflorus ...... 27 Parentucelliaviscosa...... 29 Shepherd'spurse...... 14 Melicytus lanceolatus...... 27 Patotara...... 15 Quintiniaserrata...... 26 Silenealba...... 25 Melilotusspp...... 28 Patterson's curse...... 38 R Silenedivica...... 25 Menthapu/egium .39 Pennantiacorymbosa...... 21 Silverweed...... 40 Mentha viridis...... 40 Pennyroyal...... 39 Radiata pine...... 10 Silverwattle...... 10 Metrosiderosa/bit/ora...... 33 Peppermint gum...... 41 Ragwort...... 33 Sinapisarvensis...... 23 Metrosideroscarminea ...... 13 Persooniatoru ...... 32 Ramarama ...... 29 Sisymbrium officinale ...... 22 Metrosiderosdiffusa...... 32 Phebaliumnadum ...... 24 Rangiora 13 ...... Snowberry ...... 19 Metrosiderosexcelsa ...... 30 Phormium tenax ...... 25 Ranunculus spp...... 14 Solanum aviculare...... 22 Metrosiderosfulgens ...... 32 Phyto/acca octandra...... 38 Rape...... 22 Sonchus asper...... 25 Metrosiderosperforata ...... 39 Pigwood ...... 14 Raphanus raphanistrum ...... 23 Sonchusoleraceus...... 25 Metrosiderosrobusta ...... 24 Pimelealongifo/ia ...... 21 Raspberry...... 31 Sophora microphyl/a ...... " 8 Metrosiderosumbel/ata...... 28 Pimelea tomentosa...... 21 Rata,crimsonvine. .13 ~teuaptero 5 Milktree...... 27 Pinkheath...... 7 Ratanorthern...... 24 Sorrel...... 33 Milkthistle -see sow thistle ...... 25 Pittosporum crassifolium ...... 20 Ratasouthern...... 28 Southernrata...... 28 Mingimingi...... 19 Pittosporum eugenioides...... 15 Ratavines...... 32 Sowthistle...... 25 Mint...... 40 Pittosporum tenuifolium...... 21 Rauri ki ...... 25 Sowthistleprickly...... 25 Miro...... 10 Pittosporum umbel/atum ...... 21 Red campion ...... 25 Spanishheath...... " 7 Monoao...... 33 Plagianthusbetulinus ...... 17 Redclover...... 32 Speedwell...... 12 Morningglory -see bindweed . . . . .20 Poataniwha ...... 17 Red shan k ...... 23 Spergu/aarvensis...... 20 Mountain ribbonwood ...... 6 Podocarpusferrugineus...... 10 Rewarewa ...... , ...... 26 Spiderwood...... 33 Mouse-eared chickweed ...... 25 Podocarpusspicatus...... 10 Ripogonumscandens...... 30 Spiderwort...... 16

L Spiny hakea ...... 6 Trifolium subterraneum ...... 22 Spurrey...... 20 Tumatakuru...... 31 Willow, pussy ...... 16 y Stellariamedia ...... 25 Turepo...... 27 Willow,weeping...... 17 Yarr . . '" " . . 20 Stingingnettle ...... 34 Turnip...... 24 Wineberry...... 19 Yarrow...... 29 Strawberryclover...... 6 Turnipwild...... 16 Wintercress...... 26 Stringbark...... 39 Tutsan...... 18 Wireweed...... 34 Subterraneanclover...... 22 Tutu...... 22 Woodsorrel...... 14 Sunflower...... 40 Sunshinewattle...... 10 U x Z Supplejack...... 30 Ulexeuropaeus...... 23 Xanthium spinosum...... 38 Zantedeschia aethiopica ...... 12 Sweet clover...... 28 Urtica ferrox ...... 34

T V Tagasaste...... 7 Veronicaarvensis...... 12 Taraire ...... 21 Veronica'swoody...... 32 Taramea...... 30 Vipersbugloss...... 38 Taranga...... 21 Vitexlucens...... 8 Tarata...... 15 Taraxacumofficinale...... 23 w Tar weed...... 29 Waoriki ...... 14 Tasmanianbluegum...... 13 Wattle, black ...... 10 Tataramoa...... 14 Wattle, brush ...... 6 Tauhinu...... 16 Wattle, coastal ...... 10 Taupuka...... 19 Wattle, cootamundra ...... 10 Tawa...... 19 Wattle,golden...... 10 Tawari...... 26 Wattle, hedge...... 10 Tawheowheo...... 26 Wattle, prickly leaved hedge ...... 10 Tawhero...... 39 Wattle, sunshine ...... 10 Teatree...... 8-38 Wattle,silver...... 10 Tetrapathaeatetrandra...... 19 Weepingwillow...... 17 Thistles...... 34 Weinmannia racemosa ...... 27 Thyme...... 40 Weinmannia siMcola ...... 39 Thymus vulgaris ...... 40 Wharangi ...... 15 Ti-kouka...... 25 Wharawhara ...... 38 Tiliaspp...... 35 Whau .17 Titoki...... 27 Whauwhau ...... 12 Tobacco ...... 39 Whitecampion...... 25 Torilus nodosa ...... 17 Whiteclover...... 29 Toro...... 32 Whiteratavine...... 33 Toropapa...... 17 Whiteywood...... 27 Totara...... 10 Wildcabbage...... 26 Towai...... 39 Wildgarlic...... 28 Trailing St. John's wort .13 Wildgeranium...... 21 Tree manuka ...... 38 Wildirishman...... 31 Treelucerne...... " 7 Wildonion...... 28 Trifolium fragiferum ...... , 6 Wildradish...... 23 Trifolium incarnatum...... 22 Wildrose...... 23 Trifolium pratense...... 32 Wildturnip...... 16 Trifoliumrepens...... 29 Willow,crack...... 16 Trifolium scabrum...... 22 Willow,herb .13 58 59