AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS I25 



waste places, along roadsides and near dwellings over a wide scope of 

 country. 



It is one of the chief sources of nectar in places in the Arkansas Val- 

 ley in Kansas, also in portions of Texas. The honey is dark amber and 

 strong in flavor. Beekeepers report it as important at Seguin, Texas. Re- 

 ports of honey from this source come from widely separated localities 

 from the Eastern States to California. 



Richter lists it as blooming in May and June in southern California, 

 but at the usual period further north. He reports that Ventura and Los 

 Angeles Counties produce hoarhound in considerable quantities, but that 

 it is regarded with disfavor in the sage districts because a small quantity 

 of this honey, mixed with the sage, impairs the color and flavor of the 

 latter. 



Wherever plentiful, hoarhound may be expected to yield some honey, 

 and in many places it yields surplus in quantity. Although not of the best 

 quality, it is still an important honey plant. 



HOARY VERBENA, see Vervain. 

 HOG GUM, see Poisonwood. 



HOLLY (Ilex). 



The holly family is a large one, with representatives in Europe, Asia 

 and South America, as well as North America. There are more than a 

 dozen species on this continent, most of them common to the Southeastern 

 States. The common holly (Ilex opaca) is found from Massachusetts and 

 New York south to Florida and west to Arkansas and Texas. It is re- 

 ported as a valuable source of nectar in most of the Southern States. The 

 Myrtle-leaf dahoon holly (Ilex myrtifolia) occurs from North Carolina to 

 Florida and western Louisiana. 



The holly trees bloom in May, and in Alabama, Georgia and Missis- 

 sippi are reported as yielding rapidly for a short period of time, usually 

 three to ten days. 



The deciduous holly or privet (Ilex decidua), of the Southeast, is 

 known in Texas as possum haw or bearberry. It ranges from southern 

 Virginia to Florida and west to Missouri and Texas. It blooms early 

 and is reported as yielding well for a short period. 



The yaupon (Ilex caroliniana) Trelease, is frequently reported as a 

 source of honey by Texas beekeepers, though Scholl lists it as unimport- 

 ant. 



The gallberry (Ilex glabra) is probably the most important source of 

 honey of the group, especially in the Gulf region. (See Gallberry). 



HOLLYHOCK (Althaea rosea). 



The hollyhock is one of the oldest cultivated garden flowers. It is a 

 native of China and is to be found in every garden of old fashioned flow- 

 ers. Wherever found, the bees seek it eagerly, and apparently it secretes 

 nectar freely. 



