The Sources of Nectar and Pollen 
373 
Acacias, wattles, Acacia spp. Shrubs or trees, flowers small, in 
heads. Catclaw, A. Greggii, May and July. Honey white, 
fine flavor. Catclaw, 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 arc listed as important 
honey sources in Australia, Africa and tropical America. 
Black wattle, A. decurrens mollis, and other species arc of 
value in California and in Hawaii. Huisache, A. ( Vachellia ) 
Farnesiana, is also present along the Rio Grande. A. con- 
slricta, June, Arizona. Vari¬ 
ous species in subtropical re¬ 
gions, probably all valuable. 
Aceraceae ; see Maple family. 
Aisculaceae ; 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, Simarubace® ; 
see Ailanthus and Manohineel. 
Alder, Alnus spp. Pollen. 
Alfalfa, Medicago saliva (Pig. 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 honoy 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. lupulina reported from California. 
Alfileria, pin clover, Er odium cicutarium. Annual, April-Septem- 
Fio. 140. — Alfalfa. 
