South Carolina Bee Plants
This database is begun from five raw honey samples from our bees, which were lab examined for pollens by the SC EPSCoR Honeybee Foraging Project at the University of South Carolina in the spring of 1999 by Caroll W. Simril. (Melissopalynology = the study of pollens in honey.) Added to this are plants which have been positively seen and identified to be foraged by honeybees, or other bee species by myself (Dave Green). It is important to keep in mind that many plants that are pollen sources for bees yield little nectar and vice versa. Included with each plant, as much as possible is an image or two of the plant, a estimation, in my opinion of the plant's relative merits as a pollen source, and as a nectar source. The main list is by Genus and species (a few by family), with a cross reference list by common names.
Photos and references may be off-site, return by using the back button on your brouser
Acer (Maple) Acer
rubrum
Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae (Pigweed family)
Ambrosia (Ragweed)
Arisaema (Jack in the Pulpit)*
Asteraceae (Daisy family)**
Berchemia scandens (Alabama supplejack or vine rattan)**
Betula sp. (Birch) Possibly River Birch, Betula nigra
Brassicaeceae (Mustard family)** Wild radish,
is highly common
Cercis (Red bud)
Cornus sp (Dogwood)*
Diospyros (Persimmon)
Fabaceae (Unknown legume)
Fragaria sp. (Strawberry)
Fraxinus sp. (Ash)
Gelsemium sempervirens (Yellow jessamine)
Gleditsia triacanthos (Honey locust)
Ilex sp. (Holly/yaupon/possom haw/black alder/winterberry)**
Lamiaceae (Mint family) Henbit
is very common
Liliaceae (Lily family)
Liriodendron (Tulip poplar)*
Liquidambar (Sweetgum)
Lonicera (Honeysuckle)*
Magnolia sp. (Magnolia/sweet bay/umbrella tree/cucumber tree)**
Nyssa aquatica (Tupelo gum)**
Nyssa sylvatica (Black gum)**
Pinus sp (Pine)*
Poaceae (Grass family)
Quercus (Oak family)*
Rosaceae (Rose family)** Common members include wild plum, Carolina cherry,
dewberry, blackberry
Rumex (Dock)*
Salix (Willow)** male and female flower
pics
Sambucus/Viburnum (Elderberry/Viburnum)
Saururus (Lizard's tail)**
Sparganium (Bur reed)*
Symplocos (Sweet leaf)
Toxicodendron/Rhus (Poison oak/ivy/sumac)** Poison ivy flower
Trifolium sp. (Clover)*
Utricaceae (Nettle family)
Vicia/Glycine (Vetch/soybean) (Soybean is unlikely, as this was a spring sample)
* Indicates significant pollen source, more than 1% in
some samples
** Indicates major pollen source, more than 5% in some samples
A basic explanation of Melissopalynology Canadian Association of Palynologists
