AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



203 



nies most need stimulation. The nectar yield is sufficiently abundant for 

 the bees to store surplus where colonies are strong and weather condi- 

 tions favorable. In Sacramento County, California, surplus is sometimes 

 reported from prunes. There are probably few places where bees are kept 

 in America where plums of some variety are not present. 



Fig. 111. Plum blossoms. 



POINSETTIA (Euphorbia pulcherrima). _The poinsettia is a well-known 

 ornamental plant. It is a shrub, native to tropical America, grown to a 

 considerable extent for ornamental purposes in California. The blos- 

 soms are small and inconspicuous, but there is a striking cluster of bril- 

 liant red leaves, surrounding the flowers, which give an impression of 

 flowers. 



The nectaries are very conspicuous cups at the side of the blossoms. 

 Nectar is secreted in abundance, and if the plant was sufficiently common 

 it would be an important source. The nectar gathers in large drops. 



POISON IVY, see Laurel; also Sumac. 

 POISON OAK, see Sumac. 



POISONOUS HONEY. 



Much has been written in regard to poisonous honey. Well authenti- 



