> From: David L. Green <[log in to unmask]>

> There is one summer honey that makes me check every super, whenever I
> extract any summer honey. It is very light, with white wax, and you expect a
> lovely honey, when you see it. But the honey is so foul, I can only compare
> it with a mix of urine and alum.
> It has been suggested that this is from bitterweed, though I haven't confirmed
> that the bees work it. Again it is a spotty thing. One hive in an entire
> yard may be the only one that has this. But one frame in a tank of honey is
> too much!

Once more, David, you are right on target.  Best describe this as bitter as
quinine, although you may have never tasted quinine.  I have not heard of a
Southeast U.S. vectored case since 1946. Bitterweed- Helenium tenuifolium L.
(VA, NC, SC, Ga,TN,AL,MS,LA)  grows especially on the Coastal Plain-
Piedmont regions from Virginia around to Texas readily and I believe even
farther north. See Frank C. Pellett's American Honey Plants, 5th Edition,
Dadant & Sons, about 1978, page 56-58.

Here in central Alabama (as I observe) it grows on waste land, roadsides,
and pastures after Msy, blooms in heavy stands occasionally, but usually is
scattered, during late July into September.  The plant usually grows from
1-2 feet high, branched, with inflourescences of yellow, disc and ray flower
structure, 1/2" diameter.  Bees do work it, but usually without enthusiasm.
This bloom period is a very dry part of the year.  It has been reported that
20-30 pounds of honey can be collected by a colony and that bees use it
without problems; I have seen stands of half to one acre, and in line of
sight, 15 or so bees may be at work, mostly during morning  hours.  Find a
few plants and take a amall chew from any part!  You have never known
bitterness!  I would not put a colony if bees even distantly from it!
If your milk cow eats bitter weed (and they don't seem to mind it!), one
cannot drink the milk.  Every single part of this plant is bitter, bitter,
bitter, and while I have tasted such honey, I was not mine!

>  Some would be worth propagating. I'd love to be the owner of a
> field planted to vitex, which makes a light, mild honey and keeps on yielding
> in the hottest, driest weather.

I have 6 0r 8 vitex negundo incisor plants in  my yard, and the bumblebees,
and other solitary bees work it with enthusiasm, my five colonies of honey
bees are not seen on it, except on rare accasions.  I knew a beekeeper who
claimed to make honey having 10-12 big plants in his backyard, I have never
collected a teaspoonful that I could recognize.  My honey bees just dont
like it. (I've had it 6-7 years and am in the process of digging it up).  It
does however bloom when there is a darth of nector flow (July late, August
and Sept somewhat).