With a few exceptions, plants in the mint family are not significant pollen sources, though some are visited heavily for nectar. For example, in a study of honey bee foraging in Ohio conducted from July to September, I did not recover any pellets of mint pollen, and only in a couple of cases did I find a stray mint pollen grain mixed into other loads. Earlier in the season, honey bees will bring in an appreciable amount of purple deadnettle pollen where it is abundant. Monarda might also be a significant pollen source in some cases.


Doug




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