Black-jack
A widespread tropical and subtropical weed flowering almost all year; it gives bees both nectar and pollen and is a valuable fallback source in dearth periods.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,3-1,5 m
- Life cycle
- Annual
🐝 Add to my apiary
Log in to add it to your apiary.Value for beekeeping
Black-jack is an annual weed of American origin that now grows almost everywhere in the tropics and subtropics, on field margins, roadsides and waste ground. The yellow tubular florets in its small flower heads give both nectar and pollen; some forms have white ray florets, and these attract bees more strongly.
Flowering
In hot climates it flowers all year round; in temperate regions from late summer until the first frosts. Individual plants go to seed quickly, but new seedlings keep flowering going without a break, so it supports the colony's brood rearing during dearth periods.
Honey and pollen
In regions such as Taiwan, considerable amounts of honey are obtained from closely related forms with large white flowers; this species itself is mostly a component of mixed honeys. Its pollen loads are yellow in tone.
Note for the beekeeper
Its hooked seeds stick to animal fur and clothing and spread rapidly; it is a problem weed on Pacific islands. It has naturalised here and there around the Mediterranean and is rare in Turkey.