Not a native plant of the Americas. Was introduced from Europe and has naturalized over North America. Each plant produces hundreds of seeds which are scatted by the wind over large areas. The dandelion is a sure sign of spring. Its blooming period is short. It is found in abundance along road sides and in waste areas. It has invaded a number of residential yards and where the home owner does not treat or spray for the noxious plant, the beekeeper can expect the bees to work this plant and return with an abundance of pollen and nectar.
Description of nectar
Honey produced by the bees from the nectar according the Frank Pellett's book American Honey Plants is dark and strong. Most of this honey is consumed in the production of early brood. John H. Lovell's book Honey Plants of North America indicates that the honey is deep yellow, and sometimes granulates in a week or two. He adds, "It would not be liked by the person accustomed to a mild honey."
Description of pollen
The
color of the pollen carried back to the hive by the bees is orange in color.
Description of pollen grain
A member of the Compositae family. The pollen grain is distinctive. It is for the most part round with a distinct surface structure consisting of ribs radiating out from a circular polar end of a grain. I have used a student grade compound microscope to view the pollen collected from a dandelion plant. These are photos taken through the eye piece of the microscope set at X1000.
The above photograph of an enlarged dandelion pollen grain gives you a better idea of the surface structure. This photograph is taken from An Atlas of Selected Pollen Important to Honey Bees in the Eastern United States by Stephen B. Bambara and Nancy A. Leidy. If you can find a copy of this book, it should definitely be added to your library.