192 AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



PEPPERIDGE, see Tupelo. 



PEPPER-TREE (Schinus molle). 



The pepper-tree, a native of western South America, has been widely 

 planted in California for ornament and shade. Its bright red berries are a 

 substitute for pepper, hence the name. It is a well-known tree on the 

 Pacific coast, as far north as Martinez, on the Suisun Bay. It is grown 

 in parks, on lawns and along the streets of nearly every Southern Califor- 

 nia city. 



While a small amount of bloom may be seen at almost any time of 

 the year, its principal period is in late summer when there is a scarcity 

 of nectar-secreting blossoms (Fig. 108). The blossoms are rich in nectar 

 and the bees gather some surplus from this source. The honey is amber 

 in color, strong and rather peppery in flavor. 



The flowers are small and of a greenish or yellowish color, in large 

 sprays. The berries ripen in November and December. 



PEPPER-VINE, see Snowvine. 

 PERSICARIA, see Heartsease. 



PERSIMMON (Diospyros). 



The persimmon, or possom-wood (Diospyros virginiana), grows from 

 southern New England south and west to Missouri, Arkansas, Florida and 

 along the gulf to Texas. It is a tree of medium size, reaching a height of 

 SO feet and rarely exceeding 12 inches in diameter. (Fig. 109). The fruit 

 is composed of a rich and palatable pulp and a few large seeds. When 

 green it is very astringent and very disagreeable. The flowers appear 

 in May in the southern part of its range, and later northward. Where 

 abundant, persimmon is a valuable source of nectar. The Mexican per- 

 simmon Diospyros Texana), called also date plum, is a shrub or tree 10 

 to 30 feet in height. It thrives best in canyons and ravines, and is com- 

 mon over much of south Texas. It is frequently reported as an import- 

 ant source of early nectar in many parts of Texas. 



Franklin Sherman, Jr., lists the persimmon as sixth in importance of 

 the honey sources of North Carolina. He states that it is irregular in yield 

 and lasts but a short time, but does well while it lasts. 



PHACELIA (Phacelia). 



Jepson described thirteen species of phacelia as native to California. 

 Of these Richter lists four as of value to the beekeeper. Hill vervenia 

 (Phacelia distans) he lists as common in the plains and foothills, yielding 

 both nectar and pollen. The caterpillar phacelia (Phacelia hispida) is 

 listed as common in the chaparral belt, yielding a water-white honey of 

 fine flavor that candies soon after extracting. This is common in Ventura 

 County, and M. H. Mendleson reports that he extracted a carload of honey 

 from this source before the blooming of the sages. Phacelia ramosissima 

 is reported as a fair honey plant, but not equal to the others. The valley 

 vervenia, or fiddle neck (Phacelia tanacetifolia) is listed by Jepson 



