List of honey plants explained

Honeybees usually collect nectar, pollen, or both from the following species of plants, which are called honey plants, for making honey.

Acanthaceae (Acanthus family)

Avicennia nitida Jacq. or Avicennia germinans (Black mangrove)

Aceraceae (Sapindaceae) (Maple family)

Acer rubrum L. (Red maple)
Acer saccharinum L. (Sugar maple)
Acer spicatum Lam. (Mountain maple)
Acer pseudoplatanus L. (Sycamore maple)

Agavaceae (Agave family)

Agave sisalana Perrine ex Engelm. (Sisal)

Alstroemeriaceae

Alstroemeria cunea Vell.

Amaranthaceae (Amaranth family)

Alternanthera brasiliana Kuntze
Alternanthera dentata (Moench) Stuchlik ex R.E.Fries
Alternanthera polygonoides R.Br. ex Sweet
Froelichia humboldtiana Seub.
Froelichia lanata Moench
Gomphrena canescens R.Br.
Gomphrena demissa Mart.
Gomphrena gardneri Moq.

Amaryllidaceae (Amaryllis family)

Anacardiaceae

Apiaceae (Parsley and carrot family)

Apocynaceae (Dogbane family)

All the plants of this family are found in the tropics and subtropics.

Aspidosperma cylindrocarpon Müll.Arg.
Aspidosperma dasycarpon A.DC.
Aspidosperma macrocarpon Mart.
Aspidosperma parvifolium A.DC.
Aspidosperma polyneuron A.DC.
Aspidosperma pruinosum Markgr.
Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart., syn. Aspidosperma populifolium A.DC.
Hancornia speciosa Gomes
Peschiera affinis Miers
Rhodocalyx rotundifolia Müll.Arg.
Tabernaemontana fuchsiaefolia A.DC.

Aquifoliaceae (Holly family)

Araliaceae (Aralia and ivy family)

Didymopanax macrocarpum Seem.
Didymopanax vinosum Marchal

Asclepiadaceae

Asclepias tuberosa L.

Arecaceae (Palm family)

Acrocomia aculeata Lodd. ex Mart.
Attalea speciosa Mart.
Roystonea elata (Bartr.) F.Harper
Sabal palmetto Lodd. ex Schult.f.
Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman (= Cocos romanzoffiana Cham., or Arecastrum romanzoffianum (Cham.) Becc.).
Trithrinax campestris (Burmeist.) Drude & Griseb.

Asteraceae (Aster, daisy, sunflower family)

Ambrosia polystachya DC.
Baccharis dracunculifolia DC.
Baccharis genistelloides Pers.
Baccharis gracilis DC.
Baccharis halimifolia L.
Baccharis ligustrina DC.
Baccharis platypoda DC.
Baccharis punctulata DC.
Baccharis serrula Sch.Bip.
Baccharis sessifolia L.
Baccharis tridentata Vahl
Bidens cernua L.
Bidens pilosa L.
Cichorium intybus L.
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. (= Carduus arvensis, or Cirsium incanum)
Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. (= Carduus vulgaris, Carduus lanceolatus, or Cirsium lanceolatum)
Centaurea biebersteinii (Jaub. et Spach) Walp.
Centratherum punctatum Cass.
Cosmos sulphureus Cav.
Echinops sphaerocephalus L.
Eremanthus sphaerocephalus Baker
Eupatorium itatiayense Hieron.
Eupatorium maculatum L.
Eupatorium maximiliani Schrad. ex DC.
Eupatorium purpureum L.
Eupatorium squalidum DC.
Helianthus annuus L. (Sunflower)
Helianthus tuberosus L. (Jerusalem artichoke)
Inula magnifica Lipsky
Karelinia caspia (Pall.) Less.
Liatris spicata Willd.
Mikania cordifolia Willd.
Mikania hirsutissima DC.
Mikania microphylla Sch.Bip. ex Baker
Mikania speciosa DC.
Mikania sessilifolia DC.
Moquinia polymorpha DC.
Oligoneuron rigidum Small (= Solidago rigida L.)
Piptocarpha notata Baker
Piptocarpha rotundifolia Baker
Rudbeckia spp. L.
Sonchus arvensis L.
Senecio brasiliensis Less.
Solidago chilensis Meyen
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (L.) G.L.Nesom
Taraxacum officinale Weber
Trichogonia salviaefolia Gardner
Trixis antimenorrhoea Mart. ex Baker
Verbesina alternifolia Britton ex Kearney
Vernonia apiculata Mart. ex DC.
Vernonia argyrophylla Less.
Vernonia diffusa Less.
Vernonia herbacea Rusby
Vernonia lacunosa Mart. ex DC.
Vernonia linearis D.Don ex Hook. et Arn.
Vernonia patens Kunth
Vernonia polyanthes Less.
Vernonia scorpioides Pers.
Vernonia virgata Gagnep.
Zinnia multiflora L.

Bignoniaceae (Trumpet creeper family)

All the plants of this family are found mostly in the tropics or subtropics.

Campsis radicans Seem. (= Bignonia radicans, or Tecoma radicans)
Catalpa bignonioides Walter
Catalpa speciosa Warder ex Engelm.
Cybistax antisyphilitica (Mart.) Mart.
Handroanthus albus
Handroanthus impetiginosus
Jacaranda brasiliana Pers.
Jacaranda caroba Hort. ex Lem.
Jacaranda decurrens Cham.
Jacaranda paucifoliolata Mart. ex DC.
Memora glaberrima K.Schum.
Memora nodosa Miers
Podranea ricasoliana (Tanfani) T. Sprague
Pyrostegia ignea Presl
Pyrostegia venusta Miers
Tabebuia aurea
Tabebuia chrysotricha
Tabebuia heptaphylla (Vell.) Toledo
Tabebuia ochracea
Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) DC.
Tabebuia roseo-alba
Tabebuia serratifolia
Tabebuia vellosoi Toledo
Zeyheria digitalis (Vell.) Hoehne et Kuhlm.

Bixaceae (Achiote family)

Bixa orellana L.

Bombacaceae (see also Malva family)

Bombax campestre K.Schum.
Bombax tomentosum A.Juss.
Chorisia speciosa A.St.-Hil.
Eriotheca gracilipes (K.Schum.) A.Robyns
Pseudobombax grandiflorum (Cav.) A.Robyns

Boraginaceae (Borage or Forget-me-not family)

Anchusa strigosa Banks & Sol.
Auxemma glazioviana Taub.
Auxemma oncocalyx Taub.
Borago officinalis L.^[1]
Cerinthe major L.
Cordi alliodora Cham.
Cordia campestris Warm.
Cordia corymbosa G.Don
Cordia hypoleuca DC.
Cordia insignis Cham.
Cordia leucocephala Moric.
Cordia nodosa Lam.
Cordia trichotoma (Vell.) Steud.
Cordia verbenacea DC.
Echium plantagineum L.
Echium simplex DC.
Echium virescens DC.
Echium wildpretii H.Pearson ex Hook.f.
Symphytum brachycalyx Boiss.^[1]
Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.
Patagonula americana L.

Brassicaceae (Mustard family or cabbage family)

Brassica campestris L.
Brassica juncea Coss.
Brassica napus L.
Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.
Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata
Brassica oleracea L. var. gemnifera
Brassica oleracea L. var. gongylodes
Eruca sativa Mill.
Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv.
Sinapis alba L.

Caesalpinioideae

Apuleia molaris Spruce ex Benth.
Bauhinia forficata Link
Cassia ferruginea (Schrad.) DC.
Cassia grandis L.f.
Caesalpinia echinata Lam.
Caesalpinia ferrea Mart.
Caesalpinia peltophoroides Benth.
Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tul.
Caesalpinia microphylla Mart.
Copaifera langsdorffii Desf.
Copaifera oblongifolia Mart. ex Hayne
Delonix regia Raf.
Hymenaea courbaril var. stilbocarpa (Hayne) Y.T.Lee et Langenh.
Schizolobium parahyba (Vell.) Blake
- Schotia brachypetala Sond. Sclerolobium aureum Baill.
Sclerolobium paniculatum Vogel
Senna martiana (Benth.) H.S.Irwin et Barneby
Senna multijuga (Rich.) H.S.Irwin et Barneby
Senna speciosa Roxb.
Senna splendida (Vogel) H.S.Irwin et Barneby

Cannabaceae (Hemp Family)

Celti brasiliensis Planch.
Trema micrantha (L.) Blume

Capparaceae (Caper family)

Cleome gynandra L.

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle family)

Lonicera japonica Thunb. ex A.Murray bis

Caryocaraceae

All the plants of this family are found only in the neotropics.

Caryoca brasiliense Cambess.

Caryophyllaceae (Carnation family)

Saponaria officinalis L.

Celastraceae (staff vine or bittersweet family)

Maytenus boaria Molina

Chrysobalanaceae

found in tropics or sub-tropics

Couepia grandiflora Benth.
Parinari obtusifolia Hook.f.
Hirtella glandulosa Spreng.
Hirtella martiana Hook.f.

Clethraceae

Clethra scabra Pers.

Clusiaceae

Kielmeyera coriacea Mart. & Zucc.

Cochlospermaceae

Cochlospermum regium Pilg.

Combretaceae

Terminalia argentea Mart.
Terminalia brasiliensis Eichl.
Terminalia fagifolia Mart.

Commelinaceae

Commelina agraria Kunth
Tradescantia virginica L.

Convolvulaceae (Bindweed or morning glory family)

Ipomoea purpurea Roth
Ipomoea batatoides Benth.
Jacquemontia blanchetii Moric.
Rivea corymbosa (L.) Hallier f.

Cucurbitaceae (Melon, cucumber, calabash, squash family)

Cayaponia ficifolia Cogn.
Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. C.lanatus Nakai
Cucumis melo L.
Cucumis sativus L.
Cucurbita maxima Duchesne
Cucurbita pepo L.
Luffa cylindrica M.Roem.

Cunoniaceae

Dilleniaceae

Curatella americana L.
Davilla rugosa Poir.

Ebenaceae

Diospyros kaki L.f.

Elaeocarpaceae

Crinodendron patagua Mol.

Ericaceae (Blueberry, Heather family)

Erythroxylaceae (Coca family)

Erythroxylum campestre A.St.-Hil.
Erythroxylum suberosum A.St.-Hil.
Erythroxylum tortuosum Mart.

Escalloniaceae

Escallonia montevidensis DC.

Euphorbiaceae (Spurge family)

Alchornea iricurana Casar.
Alchornea triplinervia (Spreng.) Müll.Arg.
Aleurites fordii Hemsl.
Croton floribundus Spreng.
Croton macrobothrys Baill.
Croton salutaris Casar.
Dalechampia humilis Müll.Arg.
Euphorbia mellifera Seub.
Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. ex Klotzsch
Julocroton triqueter Baill.
Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels
Ricinus communis L.
Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb.

Faboideae (Legume family)

Andira inermis (Wright) DC.
Amburana cearensis (= Torresea cearensis M.Allemão) (M.Allemão) A.C.Smith
Centrolobium robustum Mart. ex Benth.
Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud
Geoffraea spinosa Jacq.
Machaerium acutifolium Vogel
Machaerium scleroxylon Tul.
Medicago sativa L.
Melilotus alba Medik.
Melilotus officinalis Lam.
Myrocarpus frondosus M.Allemão
Sweetia fruticosa var. fruticosa Spreng. (= Ferreirea spectabilis M.Allemão)
Trifolium pratense L.
Trifolium repens L.

Iridaceae

Crocus vernus (L.) Hill

Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Agastache foeniculum Kuntze
Agastache nepetoides
Eriope crassipes Benth.
Hyptis brevipes Poit.
Hyptis cana Pohl ex Benth.
Hyptis nudicaulis Benth.
Hyptis suaveolens Poit.
Hyptis umbrosa Salzm. ex Benth.
Lavandula spp. L.
Leonurus cardiaca L.
Leonurus sibiricus L.
Monarda didyma L.
Monarda fistulosa L.
Nepeta cataria L.
Nepeta × faassenii
Nepeta mussinii Spreng. ex Henckel
Nepeta siberica (= Nepeta macrantha, Dracocephalum sibiricum)
Pycnanthemum tenuifolium Schrad.
Pycnanthemum verticillatum Pursh var. pilosum (Nutt.) T.S.Cooperrider
Pycnanthemum virginianum Trel. ex Branner et Coville
Salvia splendens Ker Gawl.
Satureja thymbra L.^[1]
Stachys byzantina K.Koch
Thymbra spicata L.^[1]
Thymus capitatus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link^[2]
Thymus serpyllum L.
Vitex sellowiana Cham.

Lauraceae (Laurel family)

Beilschmiedia berteroana (Gay) Kosterm.
Nectandra cuspidata Nees et Mart. ex Nees
Nectandra rigida Nees
Persea americana Mill.
Persea gratissima Gaertn.
Ocotea kuhlmanni Vattimo
Ocotea pretiosa Mez

Lecythidaceae

Liliaceae (Lily family)

Smilax medica Schltdl. et Cham.
Smilax officinalis Griseb.

Lythraceae

Cuphea carthaginensis Macbride
Cuphea ingrata Cham. et Schltdl.
Cuphea linarioides Cham. et Schltdl.
Cuphea mesostemon Koehne
Heimi myrtifolia Hort.Berol. ex Cham. et Schltdl.
Lafoensia pacari A.St.-Hil.
Lagerstroemia indica L.

Magnoliaceae (Magnolia and tulip tree family)

Liriodendron tulipifera L.

Malpighiaceae

All the plants of this family are found in the neotropics.

Banisteriopsis campestris (A.Juss.) Little
Banisteriopsis clausseniana (A.Juss.) W.R.Anderson et B.Gates
Banisteriopsis gardneriana (A.Juss.) W.R.Anderson et B.Gates
Banisteriopsis pubipetala (Juss) Cuatrec.
Byrsonima crassa Nied.
Byrsonima crassifolia L.Rich
Byrsonima coccolobifolia Kunth
Byrsonima intermedia A.Juss.
Byrsonima subterranea Brade et Markgr.
Byrsonima verbascifolia Rich. ex Juss.
Heteropteris aceroides Griseb.

Malvaceae (Malva family)

Dombeya rotundifolia (Hochst.) Planch.
Pavonia malvaviscoides A.St.-Hil.
Pavonia rosa-campestris A.St.-Hil.
Pavonia speciosa Kunth

Meliaceae (Mahogany family)

Cedrela fissilis Vell.
Cedrela odorata Vell.

Mimosoideae

Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd.
Acacia paniculata Willd.
Acacia plumosa Mart. ex Colla
Albizia polyantha (Spreng.f.) G.P.Lewis (= Pithecelobium multiflorum (Kunth) Benth.)
Albizia polycephala (Benth.) Killip ex Record (= Pithecellobium polycephalum Benth.)
Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) Brenan var. cebil (Griseb.) Altschul (= Anadenanthera macrocarpa (Benth.) Brean)
Anadenanthera contorta (Benth.) Brenan
Anadenanthera falcata Speg. (= Piptadenia falcata Benth.)
Anadenanthera peregrina Speg.
Calliandra dysantha Benth.
Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong
Enterolobium gummiferum (Mart.) Macbride
Inga affinis DC.
Inga edulis Mart.
Inga marginata Willd.
Inga paterno Harms
Inga sessilis Mart.
Leucaena glauca Benth.
Mimosa acutistipula Benth.
Mimosa bimucronata Kuntze
Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia Benth.
Mimosa laticifera Rizzini et N.F.Mattos
Mimosa multipinna Benth.
Piptadenia gonoacantha Benth.
Piptadenia paniculata Benth.
Pithecolobium avaremotemo Mart.
Pithecolobium diversifolium Benth.
Pithecolobium dumosum Benth. (= Chloroleucon dumosum (Benth.) G.P.Lewis)
Pithecellobium inopinatum (Harms) Ducke
Stryphnodendron adstringens (Mart.) Coville
Stryphnodendron obovatum Benth.

Myrsinaceae

Rapanea ferruginea Mez (= Caballeria ferruginea Ruiz et Pav.)
Rapanea lancifolia Mez
Rapanea umbellata Mez

Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)

Amomyrtus meli (Phil.) D.Legrand & Kausel
Campomanesia adamantium Blume
Campomanesia crenata O.Berg
Campomanesia guazumaefolia Blume
Campomanesia pubescens O.Berg
Campomanesia xanthocarpa O.Berg
Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A. Johnson
Genus Eucalyptus L'Her., especially the following species:

Eucalyptus alba;

Eucalyptus camaldulensis;

Eucalyptus citriodora;

Eucalyptus corymbosa;

Eucalyptus drepanophylla;

Eucalyptus globulus;

Eucalyptus maculata;

Eucalyptus melliodora;

Eucalyptus microcorys;

Eucalyptus oleosa;

Eucalyptus paniculata;

Eucalyptus citriodora;

Eucalyptus redunca;

Eucalyptus scabra;

Eucalyptus tereticornis;

Eucalyptus triantha;

Eucalyptus wandoo.
Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.
Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb. (= Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. et Perry)
Eugenia convexinervia D.Legrand
Eugenia dombeyana DC.
Eugenia dysenterica DC.
Eugenia hyemalis Cambess.
Eugenia multicostata D.Legrand
Eugenia pyriformis Cambess.
Eugenia uniflora L.
Myrceugenia euosma (O.Berg) D.Legrand
Myrcia rostrata DC.
Myrciaria cauliflora (Mart.) O.Berg
Myrciaria glomerata O.Berg
Leptospermum scoparium J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.
Luma apiculata (DC.) Burret
Metrosideros umbellata Cav.
Psidium araca Raddi
Psidium cinereum Mart. ex DC.
Psidium firmum O.Berg
Psidium guajava L.

Ochnaceae

Ouratea castaneifolia (DC.) Engl.
Ouratea floribunda Engl.
Ouratea spectabilis Engl.
Ouratea nana Engl.

Oleaceae (Olive family)

Olea europaea L.
Ligustrum imatophyllum
Ligustrum japonicum Thunb.

Oxalidaceae

Averrhoa carambola L.

Polygonaceae

- Antigonon leptopus — Hook. et Arn. Eriogonum fasciculatum— Benth.
Eriogonum giganteum — S.Wats.
Fagopyrum esculentum (buckwheat) — Moench
Fagopyrum sagittatum — Gilib.
Polygonum punctatum — Raf.
Reynoutria japonica (syn. Polygonum cuspidatum) – Japanese knotweed

Passifloraceae (Passion flower family)

Passiflora haematostigma Mast.
Passiflora pohlii Mast.

Poaceae(Gramineae)

Proteaceae

Banksia integrifolia L.f.
Banksia sessilis (Knight) A.R.Mast & K.R.Thiele
Gevuina (Molina) Gaertn.
Grevillea banksii R.Br.
Grevillea robusta A.Cunn. ex R.Br.
Grevillea rosmarinifolia A.Cunn.
Grevillea thelemanniana Hueg.
Protea repens
Protea cynaroides
Roupala brasiliensis Klotzsch
Roupala cataractarum Sleumer
Roupala heterophylla hl
Roupala montana Willd.
Roupala tomentosa Pohl
Knightia excelsa R. Br.

Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn family)

Rhamnus frangula^[3]
Ceanothus tomentosus^[4] ^[5]

Rosaceae (Rose family)

Rubiaceae (Madder, bedstraw, coffee family)

Alibertia sessilis K.Schum.
Borreria verticillata G.Mey.
Borreria latifolia K.Schum.
Borreria suaveolens G.Mey.
Borreria verbenoides Cham. et Schltdl.
Cephalanthus occidentalis L.
Chinchona spp. L.
Coffea arabica L.
Coutarea hexandra (Jacq.) K.Schum.

Rutaceae

Genus Citrus L., especially the following species:

Citrus aurantifolia Swingle

Citrus limonum Risso

Citrus medica L.

Citrus reticulata Blanco

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck
Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack

Salicaceae (Willow and poplar family)

Sapindaceae (Soapberry family)

Cupania oblongifolia Mart.
Cupania vernalis Cambess.
Dodonaea viscosa Mart.
Magonia pubescens A.St.-Hil.
Matayba guianensis Aubl.
Serjania erecta Radlk.
Serjania grandifolia ex Radlk.

Scrophulariaceae

Buddleja brasiliensis Jacq.
Buddleja davidii
Scrophularia californica Cham. et Schltdl.

Solanaceae (Tomato, potato, egg plant family)

Styracaceae

Styrax camporum Pohl
Styrax ferrugineus Nees et Mart.

Sterculiaceae

Guazuma ulmifolia Lam.
Sterculia striata A.St.-Hil. et Naudin
Dombeya natalensis Sond.
Dombeya wallichii Benth. et Hook.f.
Waltheria tomentosa (J.R. et G.Forst.) H.St.John

Tamaricaceae

Tamarix gallica L.

Tiliaceae (Basswood, linden family)

Luehea candicans Mart.
Luehea divaricata Mart.
Luehea grandiflora Mart.
Luehea paniculata Mart.
Luehea rufescens A.St.-Hil.
Triumfetta semitriloba Jacq.

Urticaceae (Nettle family)

Boehmeria caudata Sw.

Verbenaceae (Verbena family)

Aegiphila lhotskiana Cham.
Aegiphila tomentosa Cham.
Aloysia virgata (Ruiz et Pav.) Juss. (= Lippia urticoides (Cham.) Steud.)
Lantana camara L.
Lantana lilacina Desf.
Lantana trifolia L.
Lippia alba N.E.Br. ex Britton et P.Wilson
Lippia candicans Hayek
Petrea subserrata Cham.
Petrea volubilis L.
Zapania citriodora Lam. (= Lippia citriodora (Lam.) Kunth)

All the plants of this family are found in the neotropics.

See also

Toxic honey plants, whose nectar results in toxic honey
Forage (honeybee)
Honeydew source
Nectar source
Northern American nectar sources for honey bees
Pollen source
Melliferous flower
Regional honeys

References

BRANDÃO, M.; FERREIRA, P. B. D. (1991). Flora Apícola do Cerrado.(Honey flora of Cerrado) Informe Agropecuário 15 (168): 5–7.
CÂNDIDO, F. A. (1992) As árvores e a apicultura. (Trees and beekeeping.) UFV
Michigan bee plants
WIESE, H. (1993) Nova apicultura. (New beekeeping.) Livraria e Editora Agropecuária

Notes and References

Book: Dalman. Gustaf . Gustaf Dalman . Work and Customs in Palestine . I/2 . Nadia Abdulhadi Sukhtian . Ramallah. Dar Al Nasher . 2013 . 563 . 1040774903. 9789950385-01-6.
Book: Dalman. Gustaf . Gustaf Dalman . Work and Customs in Palestine . I/2 . Nadia Abdulhadi Sukhtian . Ramallah. Dar Al Nasher . 2013 . 563–564 . 1040774903. 9789950385-01-6.
Web site: Frangula alnus . 2024-01-14 . www.fs.usda.gov.
Web site: Plants of Special Value to Honey Bees . 2024-01-14 . www.wildflower.org.
Web site: Woollyleaf Ceanothus, Ceanothus tomentosus . 2024-01-14 . calscape.org.