AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



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distributed species and closely resembles the one shown, but has a wider 

 leaf. Frondosa is seldom reported as yielding nectar, and it is of doubtful 

 value to the beekeeper. 



Figure 127 shows the western bur-marigold (B. involucrata), which oc- 

 curs from Illinois and Iowa south to Texas and Louisiana. This is re- 

 ported as a good honey plant. This flower has no colored corolla, but is 

 surrounded by greenish rays. August is the month of flowering with this 



Fig. 127. Western bur marigold. 

 species. The Spanish needles are all late bloomers, and where they occur 

 yield nectar, and add something to the fall honey flow. 



SPARKLE-BERRY, see Farkle-Berry. 

 SPICEWOOD, see Dogwood. 



SPIDER PLANT (Cleome spinosa). 



The spider plant is a close relative of the Rocky Mountain bee plant 

 and very similar in habit. The spider plant had quite a boom among bee- 

 keepers of a few years ago. The seed was sold quite generally and planted 

 in gardens, but as it is of no value except for honey and as an ornamental, 

 its popularity soon declined and it is seldom mentioned of late. It secretes 

 nectar abundantly and the bees work upon it freely just at nightfall, and 

 again in early morning. It is a native of the tropics and has escaped and 

 run wild in many places from North Carolina to Arkansas and Louisiana. 

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