Pulled some Roos Rounds off a couple of hives this weekend and found an
unusual honey that I think may be from Comfrey. I'm curous whether anyone
on the list has experience with this sources and an describe the honey.

The Comfrey in my yard has been in bloom for some weeks and has been worked
steadily by bumblebees. The honey bees showed no interest until the tulip
poplar played out, then I noticed them on the comfrey. The flowers are
tubular and quite deep, so, while the bumbles dive right in from the end of
the flower, the honey bees move to the bases of the petals and insert
tongues there. I observed this consistently.

The honey in question is quite dark. It appears black in the comb, but is a
dark amber when it spreads out thin on a white saucer. It's thin and has a
bit of a sourness in the taste - and sort of an acrid aftertaste.

Does that sound like comfrey to anyone?

The other possibility that comes to mind is honeydew from aphids on the
peas and roses - but I haven't seen the bees near the aphids.

Greg

______________________________________________________________
Greg Hankins                    Seven Lakes Times, L.L.C.
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Voice: (910)673-0111            1008 Seven Lakes Drive
Fax: (910)673-0210              Seven Lakes, NC 27376