AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



Triple-leaved barberry, or agar 



BARBERRY (Berberis). 



The common barberry, introduced from Europe, has become natural- 

 ized in the Northern States and occurs in thickets and woodlands from the 

 Atlantic Coast to Iowa and southward. It blooms in May and June and 

 is well known as an attractive plant to the bees, though seldom sufficiently 

 abundant to be important. It is much cultivated for ornament. 



In Texas, the triple-leaved barberry (Berberis trifoliata) is known as 

 agarites, the Mexican name, and as wild currant. It is common over a 

 large part of the southern portion of the State and is an important source 

 of early nectar. It is a shrub 4 to 6 feet high, with stifif leaves and bright 

 yellow flowers that grow in dense clusters along the stem. The red berries 

 ripen in May and are often called currants. They are used for jelly or 

 sauce, as well as for barberry wine. The plants are to be found in thickets, 

 ir; open woodlands and along roadsides, in fence corners and other waste 

 places where the seeds have been scattered by birds. 



"As a honey plant it is one of much value to me. It blooms here 

 early in February, and the bloom continues for several weeks, some 

 bushes blooming later than others. The pollen yield is abundant, 

 bright yellow in color. It is the second bloomer of the year on my 

 list of Texas honey plants, coming after mistletoe and before our main 

 fruit bloom." — Louis Scholl. Gleanings, Feb., 1907. 



Richter reports the California barberry (Berberis pinnata) yields sur- 

 plus in Monterey County after manzanita has bloomed. The honey is 

 amber in color. The plant is rather common from Berkely Hills south to 

 Monterey, blooming in March and April, according to Jepson, (See also 

 Oregon grape). 



