AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



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bena hastata), which is found from Nova Scotia to Quebec and Manitoba, 

 south to Arkansas, New Mexico and California, and on the east, south to 

 Georgia. This particular species is usually found in low lands, along 

 streams, etc. Richter, in his "Honey Plants of California," mentions an- 

 other species, Verbena prostrata, as yielding considerable honey in some 

 localities in that State. In Iowa the hoary vervain (Verbena stricta), is 

 very common in upland pastures, especially over the north half of the 

 State, and reports of surplus honey from this source are not uncommon. 



Mr. Scholl reports Verbena xutha as yielding sparingly in Texas. 

 While in the main the vervains can hardly be regarded as important honey 

 plants, in limited localities some species are very valuable sources of nec- 

 tar. Mr. S. W. Snyder, former Secretary of the Iowa Beekeepers' Asso- 

 siation, reports the blue vervain as quite valuable in his locality, some 

 years furnishing a surplus. 



VERVENIA, see Phacelia. 



Fig. 140. Virginia creeper, or American ivy. 



VETCH (Vicia). 



There are about a dozen species of vetch native to America and two 

 or three varieties widely cultivated for forage. They yield some honey, 

 and there are reports from beekeepers to the effect that their bees work 

 upon vetch freely. However, ther is little to indicate that they are an im- 

 portant source of nectar. Richter lists spring vetch as a source of honey, 



