The sources of dark honey are going to vary from region to region.  Here in
California, the usual source is bees working eucalyptus.  Unfortunately,
this is a VERY STRONG and very dark honey, and less-than-desirable on the
market.  However, I've picked up eucalyptus honey very cheaply for use in
brewing (makes a decent mead), because of this.  Eucalyptus honey also seems
to be very prone to quick crystalization.
 
Your honey sources are going to vary from ecotone to ecotone, and often what
is furnishing a major source for one group of hives is going to be quite
different from what honey sources are available to hives a couple valleys
over---or at least such is the case here in California, where you can have
considerable variation of ecosystems over a fairly short range.
 
Generalizing for state-wide, province-wide, or multi-state-wide areas, such
as are discussed here on the bee list, is not generally useful.
 
Jane B.  [[log in to unmask]]