Camelthorn
A spiny subshrub of hot, dry, saline plains; its very deep roots sustain heavy midsummer nectar, a famed honey source in Iran and Central Asia.
- Nectar
- Very good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0.4-1.2 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Camelthorn is a spiny subshrub, common in dry and saline areas such as the Iğdır and Aras plains, the Tigris-Euphrates plains and the closed Konya basin, as well as on field margins and fallows. Its roots go down more than 10 m to reach groundwater, so it yields plenty of nectar even on the hottest summer days, when no other plant can secrete. Its reddish-pink pea flowers are visited intensively by honey bees.
Flowering
It flowers for 6-8 weeks from late June to late August. On land that has been mown or ploughed it can resprout and flower late.
Honey and pollen
In Iran, Azerbaijan and Central Asia camelthorn honey is sold separately; it is a light amber, pleasantly fragrant, sweet honey. Its pollen contribution is moderate.
Note for the beekeeper
It is an important destination for July-August migration on the eastern and south-eastern plains of Turkey, where the summer dearth is severe. It is invasive in Australia and the USA; in Turkey it is native.