392 
Beekeeping 
Swedish clover; see Alsiko Clover. 
Sweet clover, Melilotus alba (Fig. 159), M. officinalis, M. indica. 
Biennial herbs (M. indica, annual), 3-10 feet. Flowers white 
in M. alba and yellow in other two species, in slender racemes. 
June-September, or even 
later, usually in July. 
Honey slightly green in color, 
flavor described as like cin¬ 
namon. Throughout United 
States, usually in waste 
places but becoming more 
common as a forage plant. 
Secretes nectar wherever 
grown. Native of old world. 
In some sections (Kentucky, 
Utah) this plant is valued 
as a soil renovator (see 
Farmers’ Bulletin No. 485, 
U. S. Department of Agri¬ 
culture). White sweet clo¬ 
ver, M. alba (Fig. 159), is the 
most common species. Seed 
is now offered for sale annu¬ 
ally in the bee journals. It 
has been sown extensively 
by beekeepers in waste places 
and along embankments. 
Called also Bokhara clover 
and has numerous other common names. Twenty species, all 
native of old world. M. indica more abundant in far west. 
Sweet-gale, bayberry, Myrica spp. Wind pollinated, some pollen. 
Sweet gum, Liquidambar Styracijlua. A source of abundant prop¬ 
olis. 
Sweet pepper bush, Clelhra alnifolia. Shrub, 3-10 feet. Honey 
light amber, good body. In swampy woods, Maine to Florida, 
especially near coast, July-August. Of special value in New 
England and New Jersey. 
Tartarian honeysuckle, Lonicera tatarica. Nectar, important 
locally, other species valuable in which flowers are not too long 
for bees to roach. Bumble-bees sometimes pierce tubes of 
the honeysucklo, L. Periclymcnum, to obtain nectar, after 
which honeybees work on the pierced flowers. 
Thistle, Carduus spp. Considerable nectar. 
Thistle family, Composites; see Iron-weed, Boneset, Goldenrod, 
