284 AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



WISTERIA. 



The wisteria is a climbing vine widely grown as an ornamental. There 

 are several varieties introduced from the Old World. They are attractive 

 to the bees, but probably nowhere sufficiently common to be of much 

 value. 



WOLF BERRY, see Oleaster. 



WOODBINE, see Virginia Creeper. 



WOOD SAGE, see Germander. 



WOOLY WHITE DROUGHT WEED, see Turkey Mullein. 



WYOMING— Honey Sources of. 



Alfalfa and sweet clover yield large amounts of surplus honey in irri- 

 gated valleys. Willows, gum-weed, cleome, dandelion, etc are minor 

 sources. 



XYZ 



YAUPON, see Holly. 



YELLOW JASMINE (Gelsemium sempervirens). 



The yellow jasmine is a well-known poisonous climbing vine common 

 to the Southern States from Virginia to Florida and west to Mexico. Its 

 yellow flowers, in short axillary clusters, appear in early spring (February 

 and March) and are very fragrant. The vine climbs over trees to a great 

 height, often 30 feet or more. It yields pollen and probably some nectar. 

 It is reported as poisonous to the bees. 



"For the past nine years I have observed, commencing with the 

 opening of the yellow jasmine flowers, a very fatal disease attacking 

 the young bees and continuing until the cessation of the bloom. The 

 malady would then cease as quickly as it came. The symptoms of the 

 poisoning are: The abdomen becomes very much distended, and the 

 bees act as though intoxicated. There is great loss of muscular power. 

 The bee, unless too far gone, slowly crawls out of the hive and very 

 soon expires. The deaths in twenty-four hours, in strong stocks with 

 much hatching brood, may amount to one-half pint, often much more. 

 My observations have been verified by dozens of intelligent beekeep- 

 ers breeding pure Italians where Gelsemium abounds." — Dr. J. P. H. 

 Brown, American Bee Journal, Nov., 1879. 



As to the effect on animals poisoned by the plant we quote Pammel 

 zs follows : 



"Dr. Winslow gives the toxicological effect on animals as follows: 

 Muscular weakness, especially in the forelegs, staggering gait and 

 falling. These symptoms are followed by convulsive movements of . 

 the head, forelegs and sometimes of the hindlegs. The respiration is 



