My bees have been returning yesterday & today with lots of bright red almost crimson pollen. Does anyone know what plants it might be from?
I have looked it up on internet but most described as red are a red/brown. will try & get a photo tomorrow. I’d love to know as I’m trying to keep a record of what they are collecting when. I’m fairly confident it’s not from anything growing on my place, so any clues will help.
Wow…lovely. Can’t help as I don’t know much about plants in your area but this might be a time to get yourself a microscope.
I’ve just been on a pollen preparation and identification course and it is a fascinating subject
I’m very jealous, where did you do the course? Will have to see if I can find something like that here. I would love a microscope, had one years ago, but sadly jettisoned in travels. Even better one where I can take images…Birthday/Christmas wish list.
Makomako (Aristotelia serrata).
Also known as wineberry, grows up to
8 m with reddish bark. The undersurface
of the leaves are reddish brown.
The blossoms produced in September
to December are borne in large panicles,
at first faint rosy-red changing to a deep
19
claret colour. The blooms are worked
by bees for reddish pollen only during
periods of pollen shortage as the very
light dusty pollen appears to make
little appeal under normal conditions.
Found as far south as Stewart Island.
A light coloured nectar is obtained by the bees.
Spurrey (Spergula
mmm…have been looking at natives, but most are cream to yellow. Horse Chestnut is the one that comes up first in searches & on my list of possibles, would be surprised if that’s what it is.
The [quote=“Valli, post:5, topic:9202”]
Aristotelia serrata
[/quote]
has a very pretty flower form, will add to possible list…thanks
thanks Valli, I actually have it, but had forgotten about it…will have a look in the morning. kind of you to look up specific refs pages too
EUCLID ref is a good one as well
