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

1.

Acer caesium Wall. Ex Brandis

Aceraceae

Trekhan (P); Kinar

(Kashmir); Kilu (Kumaon)

Timber

2.

Aesculus indica Colebr. Ex Camb.

Hippocast-anaceae

Horse chestnut;

Kanor (H)

Nuts edible; Timber

3.

Alnus nepalensis D. Don

Betulaceae