The Sources of Nectar and Pollen 391 



Sour clover ; see White Clover. 



Sour gum ; see Tupelo. 



Sourwood, sorrel-tree, Oxydendrum arboreum (Fig. 158). Tree to 

 60 feet, flowers white in numerous racemes, June-July. Honey 

 light in color, granulates slowly. In dry woods, Pennsylvania 

 to Florida, especially in Piedmont region and lower mountains. 

 An exceptionally heavy yielder, little affected by changes in 

 climatic conditions, nor is nectar washed out by rains. 



Sow thistle, Sonchus oleraceus. Some nectar. 



Spanish needle, Bidens spp., Coreopsis spp. The numerous species 

 of these genera are variously adapted to all conditions of soil 

 and moisture, but the swamp species are most important to the 

 beekeeper. Annual or perennial herbs to several feet, ray 

 flowers yellow. Autumn. Honey amber, body heavy, flavor 

 somewhat pronounced, granulates slowly. Bidens involucrata, 

 native of middle west, is abundant (introduced) in the Dela- 

 ware River bottoms south of Philadelphia, where it yields 

 excessively. B. aristosa is the species reported as so valuable 

 in the Illinois and Mississippi River bottoms. The Kankakee 

 Swamps (northern Indiana and Illinois) contain Spanish 

 needle in abundance. There seems to be considerable confu- 

 sion as to the identification of the various species, and a careful 

 study should be made of these valuable fall flowers. 

 The common name Spanish needle is the one usually adopted by 

 beekeepers. Tickseed, sunflower, beggar's tick and bur- 

 marigold are also applied to various species. 



Spanish trefoil ; see Alfalfa. 



Spider-flower ; see Cleome. 



Spikeweed, Centromadia pungens. Central California, formerly a 

 leading source of honey, now being superseded by other plants. 



Squash ; see Gourd family. 



Strawberry, Fragaria sp. Nectar in some localities. 



Sumac, Rhus glabra. Shrub to 20 feet, flowers yellowish green in 

 dense conical panicles. June-August. Honey amber of fine 

 flavor when well ripened. Distributed widely in moist regions 

 of United States, yielding a surplus in New England. There 

 are several species of Rhus of value to the beekeeper. Poison 

 ivy, R. radicans, yields nectar. 



Sumac family, Anacardiaceae ; see Sumac, Pepper Tree and Hog 

 Plum. 



Sunflower, Helianthus spp. Nectar often abundant. Jerusalem 

 artichoke, H. tuberosus, cultivated for edible tubers is of value 

 in moist soil. H. annuus, common in West. 



Sunflower ; see also Spanish Needle. 



Swamp mahogany gum ; see Eucalyptus. 



