216 AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



There are several species of wild raspberries, and probably all are good 

 honey producers. Raspberry honey is produced extensively in northern 

 Michigan, where the plant is abundant on cut-over lands. It blooms fol- 

 lowing the tree fruits and is usually ahead of the white clover. In locali- 

 ties where it is plentiful it is a most valuable honey plant and phenomenal 

 yields have sometimes been reported from this source. A good raspberry 

 location is very desirable. Beekeepers who chance to be near large planta- 

 tions of raspberries cultivated for market are equally fortunate. The 

 honey is white and of a superior quality. Figure 117 shows a luxuriant 

 growth of wild raspberry as it is found in many localities in Ontario 



RATTAN VINE (Berchemia scandens). 



Rattan vine, or supple-jack, is a common climbing vine in low thickets 

 throughout the Southern States from Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri, 

 south to Florida and eastern Texas. The flowers are greenish yellow, usu- 

 all}' appearing in June. The plant is slender and of vigorous growth, fre- 

 quently climbing high trees. 



In east Texas it is one of the important sources of surplus honey. 

 There the plant is abundant along the streams, and is reported as yielding 

 honey for a long period. The author has found rattan vine highly re- 

 garded in many sections of the South, especially in Alabama. 



Scholl states that the honey is dark amber in color and used mostly for 

 manufacturing purposes. 



RATTLE BOX or RATTLE WEED, see Loco Weed. 



RATTLESNAKE-ROOT (Nabalus altissimus). 



Rattlesnake root is listed by the late A. J. Cook as "which swarms 

 with bees all the day long," but the author can find so few references to 

 it that it is probably of little importance. 



RED BAY (Persea Borbonia). 



Red bay, or Florida mahogany, is also known as tisswood, sweet bay 

 and laurel-tree. This tree should not be confused with the magnolia, which 

 is also called sweet bay. (See Magnolia). The alligator pear (Persea per- 

 sea) is a near relative, which has been introduced from Central America 

 and extensively cultivated for its fruit. It has run wild in some parts of 

 Florida. 



Red bay is reported as yielding surplus honey in considerable quantity, 

 but of poor quality along the Gulf Coast of Texas. The honey is said to be 

 very dark, suitable for baking purposes. Beekeepers report that the plant 

 is quite dependable, but of limited range. 



RED-BERRY, see Buckthorn. 



RED BOX-TREE, see Eucalyptus. 



