28 AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



The swamp aster (Aster acuminatus) occurs on wet land, but as far as 

 available information goes is not valuable for honey. 



The large-leaved Aster macrophyllus. Fig. 12, is a northern species, 

 found in open woodlands. Graenicher observed ninety-five species of in- 

 sects on the flowers of this species in Wisconsin, which indicates nectar 

 ii: abundance in that State. 



Several other species are known to produce nectar freely, A. multi- 

 florus, A. lateriflorus, A. dumosus, A. paniculatus and A. vimineus being re- 

 ported from various localities. A. ericoides is reported as valuable in 

 Missouri. 



"There is an abundance of Aster ericoides now in full bloom. The 



bees are working on it more vigorously than they have on white clover 



or any other bloom." — George E. Wilkins, Wright County, Mo. Page 



699, American Bee Journal, 1904. 



So far, we have been unable to find any records of surplus honey from 

 asters west of the Missouri River. 



ASTRAGALUS, see Loco Weed. 



AZALEA (Rhododendron). 



The azaleas are closely related to the mountain laurel and are like- 

 wise sometimes reported as poisonous. (See Laurel; also Poisonous 

 Honey). The flame-colored azalea is common in the mountains of the 

 Eastern States from Pennsylvania to Georgia. It has a profusion of 

 showy, flame-colored blossoms coming just when the leaves appear. Prob- 

 ably several of the group yield nectar in quantity to be important wherever 

 they are sufficiently plentiful. 



B 



BALLOON VINE (Cardiospermum hallcacabum). 



The balloon vine is a herbaceous climber with alternate leaves and 

 clusters of small white flowers, followed by a three-celled inflated pod. 

 This species is common along streams in south Texas. C. molle, a Mexi- 

 can species, is also found to some extent in the mountains west of the 

 Pecos River, according to Coulter. 



Balloon vine is reported as the source of considerable honey in Texas. 

 Scholl lists it is a fair yielder, but plants not abundant. Other reports in- 

 dicate that it is the source of considerable surplus along the Gulf Coast 

 of that State. 



BALSAM APPLE, see Wild Cucumber. 



BANANA (Musa sapientum). 



Since the banana plant is little grown in the United States, it is sel- 

 dom mentioned as a honey plant, yet it secretes nectar very abundantly, 

 and in countries where bananas arc grown on a large scale it must be im- 

 portant to the beekeeper. We are showing herewith two illustrations, one 

 of the plant in fruit and one showing the opening of the bloom. 



