272 AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



west side, from about King County south. 



Dwarf maple (A. glabrum)._ In most timbered sections of the State. 

 Honey value unknown. 



Willow. Willows are abundant in almost every locality and are of 

 great value for spring feeding. 



Chittam (Cascara sagrada). Abundant in most sections of the west 

 side and reported to be an important honey plant. It is being killed off in 

 many sections, due to the harvesting of the bark for medicinal use. 



Locust. Locust has been planted extensively in many of the irrigated 

 sections of the State, where it furnishes an abundance of nectar at a time 

 when it is badly needed by the bees. A surplus is gathered in many sec- 

 tions of Walla Walla County. A water-white honey of excellent flavor. 



Dandelion. Abundant in all sections where there is sufificient moisture. 

 As in most sections of the country, it is of great importance. 



Cat's ear (Hypochaeris radicata). Sometimes called California dande- 

 lion. Abundant west of Cascades. Supplies considerable nectar of amber 

 color. In many sections it darkens the fireweed honey, and for that rea- 

 son beekeepers like to avoid it, if possible. 



Goldenrod. Abundant in all sections of the State where there is suf- 

 ficient moisture. There are a number of species, but the writer has never 

 seen a bee working on it in this State. This is due, in most cases, doubt- 

 less, to the fact that more desirable nectar is available. 



Gum-weeds (Grindelia). Present in most parts of the State. Doubt- 

 less of some value. 



Mustard. Important on west side in some localities. 



Snowberry (Symphoricarpos racemosus) and other species. Also 

 called buck-brush, wax berry, wolf berry. Abundant on the west side and 

 in the northeast part of the State. Common in many parts. Seems to 

 yield well where abundant. Quality of honey unknown. 



Milkweed (Asclepias). Two species are found on the east side. Neither 

 has been seen on the west side, and is not reported as occurring there by 

 Piper and Beattie. 



Dewberry (Rubus macropetalus). Abundant in logged-off sections. Of 

 considerable importance as a honey plant. 



Alder (A. oregona and A. sinuata). Common on the west side in par- 

 ticular, especially the former. 



Madrona (Arbutus menziesii). Common all over the west side, except 

 in heavy timber. Supplies nectar, but importance unknown. 



Helianthus. Two species occur. A small, early species, not deter- 

 mined; has been reported as important on the east side, where it grows 

 with little moisture. The species is doubtless H. annuus, which is the only 

 one listed by Piper and Beattie. The other species is doubtless an intro- 

 duced species from the east. 



Indian hemp (Apocynum pemilum). Northeastern Washington. Im- 

 portant minor plant. 



Phacelia (P. heterophylla) was found al)undant in Kittitas Coun't3^ 

 v/here it was yielding considerable nectar. Reported that the honey is 

 amber. P. tanacetifolia has been introduced into northern Idaho at Coeur 



