----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Harrison"

> Beekeepers call "Paterson's Curse" by the name "Salvation Jane"

Actually graziers called it 'Salvation Jane', as despite being somewhat
toxic (pyrrolizidine alkaloids), it can be useful fodder in extreme
circumstances.  So your livestock owner colleagues may not be all that
impressed.

> "Salvation Jane" ( E. plantagineum) Is very very drought resistant which
> will be a boon for California beeks which have been fighting drought in
> many areas the last few years.

Well, yes and no.  The plant is drought tolerant as befits a plant from the
Mediterranean.  It grows in the winter rainfall areas and needs rain at the
right time to produce a honey crop, something that has been short on here
for some time.  Even with rain grass competition can knock the crop.

> Failure of honey crops from  from "Salvation Jane" in Australia are rare.

Not all that rare, see above.

What it also has though is high protein pollen, around 30%, slightly down on
iso-leucine, but you can't have everything.  Arguably it is this pollen that
is its main benefit to the industry.

Geoff Manning

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