AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 63 



CASTOR OIL PLANT, see Castor Bean. 



CATALPA (Catalpa speciosa). 



The catalpa tree produces a great profusion of bloom. The blossoms 

 are so large that a bee can readily crawl right into the heart of the flower. 



The testimony of competent observers gives an unqualified indorse- 

 ment of the catalpa as a nectar producer, though there is slight mention 

 of it in our literature. The fact that large areas of these trees are being 

 planted for timber, in many places, makes them of special interest to the 

 beekeeper. The catalpa, or Indian bean (Catalpa speciosa) is a native of 

 the woodlands of southern Indiana and Tennessee, west to Arkansas. This 

 form, known as the hardy catalpa, is also widely planted in Iowa, Illinois, 

 Kansas, Nebraska and other States. There is another similar species 

 closely resembling it which occurs further south, and is common in the 

 Gulf States. 



The leaves are heart-shaped and the blossoms are large, nearly white, 

 and grow in large clusters, as shown in Fig. 35. The tree grows very rapidly 

 furnishing desirable timber for fence posts, telephone poles, railroad ties, 

 etc. In Kansas, large areas have been planted by the railroad companies 

 for the purpose of growing ties. Beekeepers situated near such plantings 

 should find the trees of material value. 



CATNIP (Nepeta Cataria). 



Catnip, or catmint, was introduced from Europe, and cultivated in herb 

 gardens. It is thus an escaped introduction and has become very widely 

 naturalized in the United States, although it is generally considered a 

 weed. It is usually found only in the vicinity of buildings and gardens, 

 and seldom spreads into the fields to any extent. Almost all or u? remem- 

 ber the popularity of catnip tea among the grandmothers of an earlier 

 generation. The plant is a perennial, growing from 2 to 3 feet high, with 

 flowers in clusters, the more conspicuous ones being in a terminal spike. 

 The blooming season is rather long, and the bees visit it very freely. Ap- 

 parently, the plant yields much nectar, although it is seldom present in 

 sufficient quantity to test its real value as a honey producer. If it had 

 sufficient value for other purposes to justify its cultivation, it would prob- 

 ably be an important source of nectar. 



CATSCLAW, see Acacia. 



CAT'S EAR (Hypochaeris radicata). 



Cat's ear, sometimes called California dandelion, is abundant west of 

 the Cascade Mountains in Washington and south to California. It is a 

 naturalized European weed in pastures and fields, blooming in midsummer. 

 According to H. A. Scullen, it supplies considerable nectar in Washington, 

 It is amber color and in some localities darkens the fireweed honey. 



