The Sources of Neclar and Pollen 
391 
Sour clover; see White Clover. 
Sour gum ; see Tupelo. 
Sourwood, sorrel-tree, Oxydendrum arboreum (Pig. 158). Tree to 
(iO 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 horbs to several feet, ray 
flowers yellow. Autumn. Honey amber, body heavy, flavor 
somewhat pronounced, granulates slowly. Bidens involucrata, 
native of middlo west, is abundant (introduced) in the Dela¬ 
ware Rivier bottoms south of Philadelphia, where it yields 
excessively. B. arislosa 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 spocies, and a careful 
study should be made of these valuable fall flowers. 
The common name Spanish needle is the one usually adopted by 
boekeepers. 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leading source of honey, now being superseded by other plants.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, Anacardiaeero; see Sumac, Pepper Tree and Hog 
Plum. 
Sunflower, llelianthus spp. Nectar often abundant. Jerusalem 
artichoke, II. luberosus, cultivated for edible tubers is of value 
in moist soil. II. annuus, common in West. 
Sunflower ; see also Spanish Needle. 
Swamp mahogany gum; see Eucalyptus. 
