62 



AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



Europe and is everywhere cultivated in gardens. It has escaped and be- 

 come naturalized over a wide scope of country. It yields some honey, 

 and where grown on a large scale for seed or for the roots, it is valuable 

 for the bees. 



We quote Richter as follows: 



"Honey white, with a characteristic flavor, and granulating within 

 a few months after extraction. A most excellent yielder in the Sacra- 

 mento Valley, where it is considered to surpass the onion as a honey 

 plant." — Honey Plants of California. 



CASCARA SAGRADA, see Buckthorn. 

 CASSIA, see Partridge Pea. 



CASTOR BEAN (Ricinus communis). 



The castor bean, or castor oil plant, is often cultivated for the oil con- 



Fig. 36. Catnip. 



tents of the beans. Large areas were planted during the late war, espe- 

 cially in Texas. The plant has escaped from cultivation and become nat- 

 uralized in the Southeastern States. It is generally planted for ornament 

 over a large scope of country. It is reported as very attractive to the 

 bees and of some value for honey, where sufficiently abundant. Scholl 

 lists it in the Texas bulletin as yielding well in favorable seasons. Richter 

 lists it also for California. 



