The Sources of Nectar and Pollen 373 



Acacias, wattles, Acacia spp. Shrubs or trees, flowers small, in 

 heads. Catolaw, A. Greggii, May and July. Honey white, 

 fine flavor. Catolaw, A. Greggii and A. Wrightii, semi-arid 

 regions of Texas and Arizona. Catclaw and the closely related 

 huajilla, Havardia ( Xygia) brevifolia, are of first rank among 

 honey-plants. The various wattles are listed as important 

 honey sources in Australia, Africa and tropical America. 

 Black wattle, A. decurrens mollis, and other species are of 

 value in California and in Hawaii. Huisache, A. (Vachellia) 

 Farnesiana, is also present along the Rio Grande. A. con- 

 stricta, June, Arizona. Vari- 

 ous species in subtropical re- 

 gions, probably all valuable. 



Aceracese ; see Maple family. 



.^sculacese ; see Buckeye family. 



Ailanthus, tree of heaven, Ailanthus 

 glandulosa. Native of China, 

 reported in eastern United 

 States and as valuable in Cali- 

 fornia. Honey ill-tasting. 

 Extra-floral nectaries present. 



Ailanthus family, Simarubacese ; 

 see Ailanthus and Manchineel. 



Alder, Alnus spp. Pollen. 



Alfalfa, Medicago sativa (Fig. 146). 

 Perennial, 12-18 inches, ex- 

 cessively branched after cut- 

 ting, short raceme of blue or 

 violet flowers. Blooms several 

 times during summer, depending on number of cuttings. Honey 

 light in color, granulates quickly, especially after extraction, 

 flavor excellent. Grown throughout United States but valuable 

 as a honey-plant only west of Mississippi River (except in rare 

 cases). Native of old world. The main source of honey in the 

 irrigated regions of Colorado, Utah and other western states. 

 The honey from this source is reported as amber from more 

 southern localities, but this may be due to an admixture of 

 other honeys. Alfalfa honey is produced extensively as comb- 

 honey, but in this form it suffers in comparison with that of 

 the clovers because of rapid granulation. The flavor is de- 

 scribed as mint-like. Also called Spanish trefoil, lucerne and 

 purple medic. An excellent forage plant yielding several crops 

 a season. Frequently cut before or during blooming period. 

 M. denticulata and M. Iwpulina reported from California. 



Alfileria, pin clover, Erodium cicutarium. Annual, April-Septem- 



FiG. 146. — Alfalfa. 



