AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



129 



favorable seasons, where the shrub is abundant. The California hop-tree 

 (Ptelea crenulata) occurs in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada 

 Mountains and in the Coast ranges. Its bloom has an agreeable aromatic 

 odor. The author can find no reports that indicate it is regarded as im- 

 portant to the beekeepers of that region. 



There are numerous reports to the effect that the hop-tree is a good 

 source of nectar in the Eastern States. 



HORSE CHESTNUT, see Buckeye. 



Fig. 77. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistiilosa) . The corolla tubes 

 are usually too deep for the bees to reach the nectar. 



HORSEMINT (Monarda). 



There are several species of horsemint, known also as bee balm, wild 

 bergamot, etc. Some of the species are represented from New England 

 to Texas. Figure 77 shows M. fistulosa, the wild bergamot of the North. 

 The corolla tubes are so deep that, as a rule, the bees are unable to reach 

 the nectar. In some cases it is reported as yielding freely and the author 

 has seen times when the bees were apparently getting considerable nectar 

 from this species. Whether the nectar secretion is unusually abundant or 

 the corolla tubes shortened more than is commonly the case, the author 

 will not venture an opinion. In parts of Wisconsin, M. punctata (Fig. 76), 

 according to D. L. H. Pammel, can be depended upon to yield an abun- 

 dance of nectar every season. This is probably the most important species 



