BfDJ98:March 2011
03/03/2011
17:12
Page 6
Bees for Development Journal 98
TREES BEES USE
PHOTOS © MICHAEL DUGGAN
Michael Duggan, Wrens Old Cottage, Upper Teer, Brandon, Tralee, Co Kerry, Ireland
The logwood tree, Haematoxylum campechianum. Inset: Logwood flowers
The logwood tree - Haematoxylum campechianum Leaves
Keywords: bee forage, Caribbean, Central America, honey production
There are 2-4 pairs on each rachis which are small obovate to obscordate 1-3 cm long, and 7-20 mm broad, closely veined leaflets.
Apicultural value
Haematoxylum campechianum is worked by honey bees for nectar and pollen. Widely cultivated in many parts of the tropical world, is found often on coastal plains, and grows well and quickly on moist land. The nectar flow is much affected by rainfall.
Flowers
Pointed at both ends and 3-5 cm long.
Botanical description
Honey
A gnarled tree with trunk and lower branches fluted, and grows up to 10 m high. The bark is light grey and smooth. Flowers have 10 free stamens with filaments hairy at the base; a flat, thin nearly sessile membranous pod. Haematoxylum campechianum is endemic to Central America and introduced and widely naturalised in the Caribbean and some parts of the tropics. Unfortunately the wood is still used for making charcoal in some of the islands. It is also used in hedges in some places, in dyes, and thrives on limestone hillsides in dry, secondary thickets. It is easy to propagate from seed and is highly recommended for increasing honey production.
Light or almost white. The yield is high but in some areas the nectar flow is for only two to three weeks at a time and it is greatly affected by the soil moisture. Rain at the optimum time gives a long, heavy nectar flow.
Pollen
Haematoxylum campechianum is considered an important source of pollen.
Family
Caesalpiniacae (Leguminosae)
WHICH TREES DO YOUR BEES USE? Send information to the address on page 2
Names
French: Campeche or Bois de Campeche; Spanish: Palo de tinta 6
