John Mitchell wrote:

>For beekeepers wishing to better identify and predict changing forage
>patterns in their areas, or even just to learn more about what is already
>there, check out this new noxious weed web site from our USDA ARS friends at
>the University of Montana.
>
>http://invader.dbs.umt.edu/Noxious_Weeds

   John is correct.  That web site contains information about the many
species of Centaurea (star thistle and relatives).

   From a personal point of view, yellow star thistle, a late summer/fall
bloomer, produces the best honey I have ever tasted.  In our area tocalote
blooms earlier.

                                                        Adrian

Adrian M. Wenner                    (805) 963-8508 (home phone)
967 Garcia Road                     (805) 893-8062  (UCSB FAX)
Santa Barbara, CA  93106  [http://www.beesource.com/pov/wenner/index.htm]

********************************************************************
*
*  "When we meet a fact which contradicts a prevailing theory,
*  we must accept the fact and abandon the theory, even when
*  the theory is supported by great names and generally accepted."
*
*                                      --- Claude Bernard, 1865
********************************************************************