AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



253 



but this characteristic soon disappears. The blooming period usually 

 comes in July and lasts for two or three weeks. 



The dwarf sumac is a widely distributed species, known is some local- 

 ities as (mountain sumac. It is common in the Gulf States and is the source 

 of honey in favored localities. 



SUNFLOWER (Helianthus). 



There are many species of the sunflowers, some of which may be found 

 from the Atlantic Coast to California, and from Canada to the Gulf. 



Fig. 134. Wild sunflower 



(Fig. 134.) They are tall, coarse weeds, with yellow flowers. Large num- 

 bers of insects of many species may be found on the sunflower blossoms 

 in search of the nectar. Whenever these plants are sufficiently abundant 

 they are the source of large quantities of hone'y. M. H. Mendleson, of 

 Ventura, California, reports that one year, following a wet winter, he se- 

 cured a carload of surplus honey from sunflowers, although such yields are 

 extremely rare in his locality. 



