Flowering Plants/Trees Back to Honey Plants
Milkweed is considered a noxious weed growing and spreading in uncultivated fields, and is found along railroad right of ways as well as land along our highway system. It is a member of the Asclepiadaceae family which have a milk like juice which bleeds from stems when broken. There are several species of milkweed. In some places it is called Butterfly weed because butterflies are very attracted to it. We observed a number of insects visiting these plants including Bumble bees, honey bees, various native bees and butterflies. It is claimed that the most milkweed honey is produced in the Southern Peninsula of Michigan by both Pellett and Lovell. Milkweeds bloom and flower in the summer season from July thru August. There is little likely hood that a beekeeper outside the Michigan area will collect enough nectar from this plant for it to be considered pure milkweed honey. However, it will provide ample nectar to supplement the honey crop in many areas of the United States shown on the map.
Description of nectar
The honey is described by Lovell as being "so light in color that it is usually classed as white, but it not unfrequently has a yellowish tinge. The flavor is excellent with a slight tang. Milkweed plants are heavy nectar producers. Usually milkweed honey is mixed with other nectars from plants blooming during the same time period.
Description of Pollen
Lovell indicates that the pollen is of little use to the honey bee. "The pollen grains are bound together in waxy masses called pollinia, and are useless to bees".
Description of pollen grain
We gathered the pollen shown in these photographs from plants growing in Ohio. It is distinctive. However, we could find no pictures of Asclepias syriaca in any of the reference books listed in the introduction to this series.