Desert false indigo
A North American shrub with purple spikes; good nectar and plentiful pollen after the black locust flow, but invasive along European rivers.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 1-4 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Desert false indigo carries upright spikes of small dark purple flowers with orange anthers. Bees collect both nectar and plenty of pollen; in Hungary, Romania and Serbia it is known as a valuable source that comes straight after the black locust flow. In moist places such as riverbanks its secretion is more regular.
Flowering
It flowers for 2-3 weeks between late May and June, coinciding with the end of the black locust bloom; it thus fills the gap between black locust and linden.
Honey and pollen
In some Balkan countries honeys dominated by amorpha are obtained; they are medium to dark in colour with a distinct aroma. Its pollen contribution is important for the summer development of colonies.
Note for the beekeeper
In Europe, and in Turkey in wetlands such as the Evros (Meriç) delta, it is an invasive species that suppresses native vegetation. Existing stands can be used, but no new planting should be done for beekeeping.