AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS l49 



bees, while others are good honey plants. Richter lists Lupinus affinus 

 as a source of nectar in California. 



The blue lupine or bluebonnet (Lupinus subcamosus) is widely dis- 

 tributed over southern and western Texas, fairly covering large areas 

 when in bloom. The blooming period comes in March or April and the 

 author heard many reports of this plant, as an important source of early 

 honey when visiting Texas. Some claim it yields only pollen. SchoU lists 

 it as a source of honey. 



In Colorado, beemen regard some lupines as good honey plants, also. 



LYTHRUM, see Loosestrife. 



M 



MADRONA (Arbutus menziesH). THE ARBUTE TREE. 



Jepson describes the madrona tree as evergreen with glossy, leathery 

 leaves, widely branching, 20 to 125 feet high; bark polished, crimson or 

 terra cotta, on old trunks dark brown, and fissured into small scales. 

 Coast ranges of California, oak hills, etc. Grows on high ridges, moun- 

 tain slopes and in gravelly valleys. 



According to Richter it yields both nectar and pollen from the flowers. 



MAGNOLIA or BULL BAY TREE (Magnolia grandiflora). 



The magnolia is native to moist soils from North Carolina to Florida 

 and west to Texas. It is the largest leaved tree of the evergreens. It is 

 a magnificent tree when uncrowded and is a favorite shade tree in the 

 South. The thick, leathery leaves persist over winter until the new ones 

 have appeared. The flowers are large and showy and the blooming period 

 is from spring till midsummer. 



The sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana), known also as laurel magnolia, 

 swamp laurel and beaver tree, grows in swamps from Massachusetts to 

 southern Florida and west to Arkansas and Texas. In Texas it is re- 

 ported as yielding very dark honey of poor flavor. 



Magnolia is not often mentioned as important, though an occasional 

 report of surplus in the South is received. One beekeeper reports that in 

 Mississippi the honey is so dark and strong as to be unpalatable. 



"We had three days of cool, damp, cloudy weather last year in 

 August. During that time I visited my magnolia apiary, and on ap- 

 proaching it I heard the heavy roar of bees. I first thought that whole- 

 sale robbing was in full force, and I soon saw that they were gathering 

 honey, and on looking at the alighting boards I saw particles of mag- 

 nolia blooms. This told the tale. I went a few rods into the swamp, 

 which was decorated with the large, rich magnolia blooms. I exam- 

 ined a bloom and there was the nectar visible, and all the bees had to 

 do was to alight, fill themselves and return. The weather soon cleared 



