Bees/or Development Journal 85
TREES BEES USE
FUCHSIA A BEE FORAGE PLANT —
Michael Duggan, Ireland Apicultural value
of bumblebees.
It
ALL PHOTOS
««
Fuchsia magellanica and its relative Fuchsia excorticala are important sources of nectar for Apis mellifera. They are highly rated and their pollen is very distinctive. Fuchsia are also popular with some species is recommended for planting for bees.
Botanical names Fuchsia magellanica
Fuchsia excorticata
Family Onagraceae
Names English Spanish
Fuschia sp are important nectar sources — —
Fuchsia
Irish
Fiuise
New Zealand
Fucsia
Fuchsia magellanica is
—
a native of South
Leaves —
Konini Kotukutuku
Opposite or in threes
America and Fuchsia
excorticata is native in New Zealand. They grow prolifically in temperate and oceanic climates. In the west of Ireland and south-west
Flowers
England it withstands high winds but not frosts. They grow 3-15 metres high and Fuchsia magellanica is often planted as a hedge on either side of a lane as the bushy growth is impenetrable. It does not appear to grow 400 m above sea level in this climate. Fuchsia excorticata
the rain, and long slender stalks. Corrola with four red petals paired with leaf axils.
grows profusely on the fringes of the bush on the north and south islands of New Zealand.
An oblong berry, black and very juicy when ripe.
Purple with red sepals, pendant which protects the nectar and bees from
Fruit
Honey
Pollen grains Dark blue and sticky, and the viscous threads joining them are very distinctive. They are triangular in the polar view and with three lobes or conical projections. Large as a family, and Fuchsia grains are 75 um
(See photograph right).
Pale yellow with a delicate flavour and low viscosity. In spite of a wet climate it often has a moisture
content of 16-17% and in the west of Ireland does not crystallise.
anical description ruchsia magellanica has thin stems, generally arching with a pale bark which peals in long strips.
What plants do your bees use send details to Bees for
—
Development, address on page 2.
NEW POSTERS The latest Mandarin editions of Bees for Development's /nformation Posters interested participants at a recent meeting aimed to arouse
awareness of honey bees for harmony and to boost bee products. The meeting with 200 participants took place in October, in Cixi City, Zhejiang Province in China.
Thanks to Jin Tangdong for translating the posters into Mandarin, and for this information. Posters are being distributed within China by Cixi Beekeepers’ Association.
Bees for Development Information Posters No
1
Beekeeping sustains livelihoods
—
ten good reasons
No 2 Pollination Now available in English, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish. Free of charge to beekeepers in developing countries or you can buy through our web store at www.beesfordevelopment.org/catalog
MICHAEL DUGGAN
TREES BEES USE
Poster production kindly sponsored by Anglo American pic
AMERICAN
