AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 55 



BUTTER WEED or GROUNDSEL (Senecio). 



The groundsels are herbs with alternate leaves and mostly yellow 

 flowers, common to the northeastern States. The bees are reported as 

 working upon them freely, but they are probably of minor importance. 



BUTTON-BUSH (Cephalanthus occidentalis). 



The button-bush, also called button willow, is a bushy shrub growing 

 in marshy places, stagnant shallow water, and along streams, from New 

 England to Texas and west to California. This shrub, or in places a small 

 tree, has a very wide range and is found in most of the States where 

 honey production is important. Bulletin No. 102 of the Texas Agricul- 

 tural College, reports it as common throughout Texas, and the bulletin 

 relating to honey plants of California (217 Experiment Station), records 

 it as a good honey plant in California. It is listed in the catalog of plants 

 of nearly every State and of Canada, which the author has consulted. It 

 is also said to occur in Asia, and possibly Africa. 



Our readers who live in the vicinity of wet lands are likely to find 

 specimens near at hand. In a few sections it is sufficiently abundant to 

 be an important addition to the midsummer flora. It is reported as more 

 particularly valuable in the overflowed lands along the Mississippi River. 

 The bees seek it eagerly when in bloom, and in places where it is plentiful 

 it is regarded as of considerable value as a honey plant. 



The honey is light in color and mild in flavor, according to published 

 reports. Fig. 33 shows a near view of the flowers, which are crowded to- 

 gether in dense heads, giving them the appearance of cotton balls. 



The shrub is very bushy, with an abundant foliage. It is reported as 

 reaching a height of 40 feet in California. In Alabama it is recorded as 

 a shrub of from 6 to 15 feet in height, which is more like its appearance in 

 Iowa, according to the author's observation. Here it is rather a small 

 bush, not much higher than a man's head, and as far across, with many 

 branches from the ground. 



The blooming period is July and August, according to locality, a sea- 

 son when additions to the honey-producing flora are most welcome. 



BUTTON-WEED (Diodia teres). 



The button-weed occurs on sandy lands from New England to Florida 

 and west to Kansas and Texas. Scholl lists it as yielding honey well 

 during drought in Texas, but not as a source of surplus. 



BUTTON WILLOW, see Button Bush. 



