156 AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



MAT GRASS, see Carpet Grass. 



MATRIMONY VINE (Lycium vulgare). 



Matrimony vine is a low, spiny shrub, with very long, lithe and almost 

 climbing branches. It came originally from the Mediterranean region and 

 was very generally planted for ornament about American homes a genera- 

 tion ago. It is very persistent, and has run wild about many deserted 

 home sites. The small flowers clustered in the axils of the leaves are very 

 attractive to the bees, and, where sufficiently common, the plant is prob- 

 ably of considerable importance. 



MAYWEED (Anthemis Cotula). 



The mayweed or dog fennel is an old-world weed extensively natural- 

 ized from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and west to Texas. It is common 

 along roadsides, in barn lots and waste places generally. Lovell credits it 

 with yielding a honey that is light yellow in color and very bitter. It is 

 seldom mentioned as a source of nectar. 



Richter states that because of its blooming between spring and sum- 

 mer it is of considerable value to many Sacramento Valley beekeepers. 



MEDICAGO, see Alfalfa. 

 MELIA, see China Tree. 

 MELILOTUS, see Sweet Clover. 

 MELISSA, see Bee Balm. 



MELONS (Cucumis melo). 



Melons are valuable sources of honey. In locations where they are 

 grown in large acreage, as in the Rocky Ford district of Colorado, consid- 

 erable quantities of honey are stored from them. There are numerous 

 varieties of muskmelons, canteloupes, etc., but apparently there is not 

 much difference in the value of the various sorts to the beekeeper. 



As with cucumbers and pumpkins, the male and female blossoms are 

 on different parts of the stem. Bees and insects carry the pollen from one 

 to another, if in close proximity, and often cause hybridization. 



MENTZELIA. 



Mentzeli speciosa is a conspicuous plant along roadsides and waste 

 places in Colorado. Its large white blossoms are closed during the heat of 

 the day, but beekeepers report that the bees work upon it freely in early 

 morning and late evening. It is probably not important. 



In Oregon the stickleaf (Mentzelia albicaulis) grows freely on dry, 

 stony land. It has a spreading habit and its pale orange colored flowers 

 are very attractive to the bees. 



MESQUITE (Prosopis glandulosa). 



The mesciuite, or mezquit, is the most important plant of the arid re- 

 gions from central Texas to New Mexico and eastern California. At a 

 distance it has much the appearance of an aged peach tree. A northern 



