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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 10 Sep 1998 23:12:07 -0400
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In my area, near a riverbank, there's lots of purple loosestrife.  The
nectar in uncapped cells is greenish, almost fluorescent.  It looks a little
like motor oil.  I can tell by the color when the loosestrife flow is on.
Because of my wildflower mix, there's no bitter aftertaste, but the honey is
a little green in color.
 
Japanese knotweed may be good forage but I have some on my land and it is
**agressive**!  In the spring, a few shoots come up, then before I know it I
have five foot plants all over.  I have one area I try to keep as lawn
because you cannot walk through the knotweed and my mulch pile is back
there.  I dig roots and chop young shoots and pull up the older plants, a
lot of effort but if I didn't the entire quarter acre would be knotweed.
Because of terrain, I can't eradicate it.  In winter it turns into trashy
hollow stalks that serve to keep other plants down in springtime.
 
Yes it is edible, in spring, before the stalks get woody.  It tastes a
little like rhubarb but not as sweet.  I have made knotweed pie that is
pretty good, and fresh shoots dipped in honey or sugar are pretty tasty.
 
I would never deliberately plant this stuff, unless I was *very* careful
about just where, and watched it closely.  Once established it will be very
difficult to get rid of.  Nearby I have swamps and wetland, and much of the
shady margin is knotweed and nothing else grows there.  DB

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