Central Bee Research Institute

Central Bee Research Institute
Directorate of Beekeeping
Khadi and Village Industries Commission
1153, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411 016.

Technical Bulletin No. 20 October 1985

PROPAGATION OF BEE PLANTS

Introduction

Honey bees are dependent on flowering plants for their food : pollen and nectar. Pollen is a protein source and nectar is a carbohydrate source to bees. Continuous availability of forage to bees is of prime importance for stationary beekeeping. In other words, there should be plants which flower round the year. Any gap in flowering for more than two weeks can result in dwindling and desertion of bee colonies. The density of the bee plants is another factor which decides the available food and the colony number in a location.

In India, beekeeping is mainly a forest based industry, though in certain pockets it is practised on agricultural belts. In hills, there are short and long floral gaps. In the plants, on agricultural farms food is not available to honeybees throughout the year. Bees can get forage only during the flowering season of crops but starve in the remaining period.

Problems in Progress of Beekeeping

The main hurdle for the progress of beekeeping in the country is deforestation. The depletion of bee forage in the forests results in the decreasing number of bee colonies and low honey production. In the agricultural plains vast areas exist without any shade for the bee hives. Trees or large shrubs have to be planted to provide shelter to the bees. Indiscriminate use of insecticides on crops kills bees. Usually if only one crop is grown in a large area bees cannot get alternate sources and are forced to collect food from sprayed crops.

Importance of Propagation of Bee Plants

Propagation of bee plants is necessary, (i) to increase the availability of bee forage; (ii) to ensure continuous availability of bee forage and (iii) to bridge short floral gaps, in order to keep the bee colonies strong.

Propagation of trees useful to bees is not for survival of honey bees or honey production alone. Importance of bees to pollination of agricultural and horticultural crops is well known. The value of pollination is many times more than that of honey production. So, improvement in bee plants benefits the local population of bees and other wild insects, thereby helping crop pollination and farm production.

Plant Propagation

The beekeeper himself can do much by undertaking bee plant propagation and by encouraging others to do the same. He should plant useful bee plants near his apiaries to get flowers throughout the year.

In order to get the benefits of bee pollination, the farmers have to provide for bee forage when there are no crops flowering in the farms. Various trees and shrubs can be planted along hedges, borders, bunds and waste lands, which can provide nectar and pollens to bees. In addition, the farmers can also introduce several crops like coriander, maize etc. in crop rotation schedules. These crops provide valuable bee forage when needed and at the same time augment the income of the farmers through their produce.

The programmes of afforestation, social and farm forestry assume special significance in the national rural development programmes. Afforestation of plants useful to honey bees helps beekeeping. This also helps to develop forests as an ecologically balanced biological unit. A systematic programme of reforestation with bee plants can, in a few years time sustain a large number of bee colonies which can also provide gainful self-employment to the local forest or tribal population. The benefits of such a programme will start accruing after five to ten years. In view of this, it is necessary to take up large scale afforestation programmes as soon as possible.

Generally under different plantation programmes, the fast growing tree species are selected for plantation. These species have limited use, such as timber or fire wood. To improve the aesthetic appeal and maintain a healthy atmosphere, it is necessary to cultivate and conserve plant species which have multiple uses like timber, fruit, medicine and fuel in addition to their utility to bees. This can allow undertaking of beekeeping for honey production and increased crop production through bee pollination. Keeping in view the above needs the Central Bee Research Institute has prepared lists of bee plants useful for various purposes.

These can be planted under different climatic and edaphic conditions. Plants are listed here under different climatic regions, viz. arid or semi-arid regions, tropical humid climates sub-tropical and temperate regions, sea coasts and marsh lands. Plants are also listed for social forestry, garden ornamentals and avenues. Common and vernacular names are given for each species, wherever possible. The language is indicated in brackets - H : Hindi; Tam : Tamale; Tel : Telugu; Kan : Kannada; Mal : Malayalam; Guj : Gujarathi; Ben : Bengali; O : Oriya; Mar : Marathi; P : Punjabi.

Availability of Seeds / Seedlings

The department of forests in every state maintains nurseries of forest trees. Important species useful to honey bees can be selected for afforestation programmes. A large supply of seedlings and planting material can be obtained from the nurseries of the forest department.

Seeds or seedlings given in the lists may also be available with private firms. The addresses of some firms are given below.

Mention of any private name or address does not mean any promotion or recommendation of the individual or firm. This is purely to guide a layman, since many enquiries are received at this Institute for seed of bee plants. The Institute does not take any guarantee or assure the quality of seed or any material taken from these firms.

Pratap Nursery and Seed Stores,

Pandit Wari, P.O.

Prem Nagar,

Dehradun - 248 007.

M/s. G.A. Krishna and Company,

Tree Seeds Exporters, F-86,

Kampana Street, Mavalli,

Bangalore - 560 004.

Gopal Nursery and Seed Stores,

318-A, Chukhuwale,

Dehradun - 248 001.

Indian Nursery and Seeds Sales Crop.,

Pandit Wari, P.O. Prem Nagar,

Dehradun - 248 007.

Pocha Seeds Pvt. Ltd.,

Post Box No. 55, New Sholapur Bazar,

Pune - 411 040.

Kumaon Nursery,

Ramnagar,

Nainital Dist. (U.P.)

Itmadpur Nursery,

Post Amarnagar,

Faridabad - 121 003.

N. Cooper and Co.,

3, Queens Garden,

Pune - 411 001.

LISTS OF THE BEE PLANTS FOR PROPAGATION IN INDIA

ARID OR SEMI-ARID REGIONS / DECIDUOUS FORESTS

Sr.	Botanical Name	Family	Common / Local Names	Economic Use
1.	Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. Ex Benth	Mimosaceae	Austrilian Phyllode acacia	Fire wood
2.	Acacia catechu (Linn. F.) Willd.	Mimosaceae	Cutch tree : Khair (H)	Cutchu from heart wood
3.	Acacia senegal (Linn.) Willd	Mimosaceae	Kher	Gum
4.	Acacia sinuata (Lour.) Merr.	Mimosaceae	Soap pod wattle; Shikakai (H); Shikai (Tam)	Soapnut; brk for dyeing and tanning; Live fence; Fire wood
5.	Adenanthere pavonina Linn.	Mimosaceae	Coral wood; Barighumchi (H); Rakta Kambal (Beng)	Timber
6.	Aegle marmelos (Linn.) Correa	Rutaceae	Bael tree; Bel (H); Vilvam (Tam); Maredu (Tel)	Fruits edible; Medicinal; Timber
7.	Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq.	Rubiaceae	Kadamba (H); Kadam (Beng); Vellaicadamba (Tam)	Wood useful; Flowers fragrant
8.	Bombax ceiba Linn.	Bombacaceae	Red silk cotton; Semul (H); Lal Sawar (Mar)	Seed fibre; Timber
9.	Buchanania lanzan Spreng	Anacardiaceae	Sara (Tel); Chironji (H); Morala (Tam)	Fruit and seeds edible; Oil from kernels
10.	Ceiba pentandra (Linn.) Gaertn.	Bombacaceae	White silk cotton; Safed-simul Katesawar (Mar); Ilavu (Tam)	Seed fibre; Timber;
11.	Dalbergia spp.	Fabaceae	Shisham etc.	Durable Timber
12.	Emblica officinalis Gaertn.	Euphorbiaceae	Emblic myrabolan; Amla (H); Nelli (Mal & Kan); Avla (Mar)	Fruits edible; Medicinal
13.	Eucalyptus intertexta R.T. Baker	Myrtaceae	Red bore	Excellent charcoal
14.	Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr.	Flacountriaceae	Sweet thorn	Fire wood
15.	Gmelina arborea Linn.	Verbenaceae	Ghamar (H); Kattanam (Tam)	Timber; Fodder
16.	Leucaena spp.	Mimosaceae	Soobabul (H & Mar); Tagarai (Tam); Lasobaval (Guj)	Green manure; Fodder; Timber; Five wood
17.	Limonia acidissima Linn.	Rutaceae	Wood apple; Kait (H); Velaga (Tel); Kavath (Mar)	Fruits edible; Gum; Wood
18.	Madhuca spp.	Sapotaceae	Mohwa, etc.	Timber; Oil from seeds; Fruits edible
19.	Moringa oleifera Lamk.	Moringaceae	Drumstick tree; Sainjana (H); Murangai (Tam); Shevga (Mar); Munaga (Tel)	Leaves, flowers and fruits eaten as vegetables; Medicinal
20.	Parkinsonia aculeata Linn.	Caesalpiniaceae	Jarusalem thorn; Vilayati Kikar (H)	Ornamental; Avenue tree
21.	Phoenix dactylifera Linn.	Arecaceae	Date Palm; Pindkhajur (H)	Fruits edible; Leaves for fibre
22.	Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre	Fabaceae	Indian Beech; Karanja (H); Pangam (Tam); Ganuga (Tel)	Non-edible oil; Timber; Fire wood; Medicinal
23.	Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.	Fabaceae	Kino tree; Bijasal (H); Vengai (Tam)	Wood; Red-gum resin used in medicine
24.	Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken	Sapindaceae	Kusum (H); Kusumb (Mar)	Host for lac-insect; Seed oil; Young fruits edible
25.	Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.	Strychnaceae	Nux-Vomica; Kuchla (H); Yetti (Tam)	Wood for agricultural implements; seed yield Strychnine alkaloid; Medicinal.
26.	Tamarindus indica Linn.	Caesalpiniaceae	Tamarind tree; Imli (H); Puli (Tam); Tantul (O)	Fruits and young leaves edible; Condiment; Timber; Fire wood
27.	Terminalia arjuna Wt. & Arn.	Combretaceae	Arjun (Mar)	Wood used for agricultural implements
28.	Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.	Combretaceae	Bahera (H)	Wood
29.	Vitex altissima Linn. F.	Verbenaceae	Milla; Maila (Tam)	Wood
30.	Wendlandia spp.	Rubiaceae	Thavsa (Mar); Bankat, etc.	Wood useful; Leaves for fodder
31.	Ziziphus spp.	Rhamnaceae	Chinese date; Ber (H); Bor (Mar); Regu (Tel)	Fruits edible; Fodder; Fire wood

TROPICAL (HUMID) CLIMATES
1.	Acacia ducurrens Wild.	Mimosaceae	Green wattle	Bark for tanin; Firewood
2.	Actinodaphne angustifolia Nees	Lauraceae	Pisa	Non-adible oil; Fuel wood
3.	Alseodaphne semicarpifolia Nees	Lauraceae	Phudgus (Mar); Yavaranai	Timber (Grows in cooer cliamates)
4.	Averrhoa carambola Linn.	Averrhoaceae	Carambola tree	Fruits edible
5.	Banksia Serrata Linn. F.	Proteaceae	Australian honey suckle	Wood for boat knees; bullock yokes
6.	Bischofia javanica Bl.	BIschofiaceae	Bishop wood; Paniala (H); Boke (Mar); Nalupumashti (Tel)	Timber
7.	Canthium parviflorum Lamk,	Rubiaceae	Kirni (H)	Wood used for toys; Fruits edible
8.	Cinnamomum zeylanicum Bl.	Lauraceae	Cinnamon; Dalchini(H); Hayangam (Tam)	Bark yields spice
9.	Cryptocarya wight iana Thw.	Lauraceae	Palai(Tam); Gulmur(Kan) Chalta (H & Beng);	wood useful
10.	Dillenia indica Linn.	Dilleniaceae	Chalta (H & Beng);	Timber; Jam and jellies from fruits.
11.	Diospyros Kaki Linn. f.	Ebenanceae	Persimmon	Fruits
12.	Elaeocarpus spp.	Elaeocarpaceae	Rudraksham	Timber
13.	Erioglossum rubiginosum B1.	Sapindaceae	Ritha	Fruits edible
14.	Eucalypfus calophylla R. Br. ex Lindi.	Myrataceae	Redgum	Timber; Oil from leaves
15.	Euphoria longan (Lour.) Steud.	Sapindaceae	Longan; Ashphal(Beng); Wumb(Mar); Puvatti(Tam)	Fruits edible; Wood useful
16.	Carcinia indica Chois.	Guttiferae	Red Mango	Fruits edible
17.	Grewia spp.	Tiliaceae	Phalsa etc.	Excellent timber; Fruits edible
18.	Hevea brasiliensis (HBK) Muell.-Arg.	Euphorbiaceae	Para rubber	Rubber from latex
19.	Lagerstroemia spp.	Lythraceae	Jarul etc.	Timber
20.	Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr.	Anacardiaceae	Jhingan (H)	Wood; Gum
21.	Litchi chinensis (Gaerth.) Sonner.	Sapindaceae	Litchi	Fruits edible
22.	Litsea Stocksii HK. f.	Lauraceae	Betel nut laurel	Timber
23.	Macaranga peltala (Roxb.) Muell.-Arg.	Euphorbiaceae	Chanda(Mar); Chandakanne (Kan); Uppila (Mal); Boddi; (Tel)	Wood for matches, paper pulp; Gum; Shade plant
24.	Mallotus philippensis (Lamk.) Muell.-Arg.	Euphorbiaceae	Kamala (H)	Fruits yield dye; Timber
25.	Mammea suriga (Buch. ex Roxb.) Kosterm.	Guttifeae	Nagkesar	Wood useful; Flowers scented
26	Mesua ferrea Linn.	Guttiferae	Nagkesar (H): Nagappu (Tam)	Timber; Flowers for cosmetics
27.	Muntingia calabura Linn.	Elaeocarpaceae	Singapur cherry	Fruits edible; shade
28.	Nephelium lappaceum Linn.	Sapindaceae	Rambutan; Ramboostan	Fruits edible; Wood useful
29.	Persea americana Mill.	Lauraceae	Avocado	Fruits
30.	Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre	Fabaceae	Indian beech; Karanja(H); Pangam (Tam) Ganuga (Tel)	Non-edible oil; Timber;Firewood; Medical.
31.	Sapindus Spp.	Sapindaceae	Scope-nut; Ritha (H). Pavamkottai (Tam)	Fruits used as a soap; wood useful
32.	Sapium sebiferum (Lour.) Roxb.	Euphorbiaceae	Chinese tallow; Vilaiati Shisham (H)	Fat from seeds used in Soap and Candle
33.	Scheffiera spp.	Araliaceae		Wood useful
34.	Scheichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken	Sapindaceae	Kusun(H); Kusumb(Mar)	Host for lac insect; Seed yields oil
35.	Sophora secundiflora DC.	Fabaceae	Coral Bean	Wood useful
36.	Syzygium spp.	Myrtaceae	Jambul, etc.	Fruit edible; Timber
37.	Swietenia spp.	Meliaceae	Mahagani (H)	Timber
38.	Tamarix spp.	Tamaricaeae	Jhau (H). etc.	Twigs used for making baskets
39.	Terminalia tomenfosa Wt. & Arn.	Combretaceae	Ain (Mar); Asan, Sadri (H); Mathi (Kan)	Timber; Nest for Tasar Silkworm
40.	Toona ciliata M. J. Roem.	Meliaceae	Red cedar	Wood useful for many purposes
41.	Vateria indica Linn	Dipterocarpac-eae	White - dammar; Safed damar (H)	Gum-resin; Oil from seeds; Wood useful
42.	Veronia monodid DC.	Asteraceae	---	Wood useful; Firewood
SUB-TROPICAL AND TEMPERATE CLIMATES

Acer caesium Wall. Ex Brandis

Aceraceae

Trekhan (P); Kinar

(Kashmir); Kilu (Kumaon)

Timber

Aesculus indica Colebr. Ex Camb.

Hippocast-anaceae

Horse chestnut;

Kanor (H)

Nuts edible; Timber

Alnus nepalensis D. Don

Betulaceae