Daphne oleoides
A fragrant dwarf shrub of mountain rocks with tubular flowers; the narrow tube makes it a minor bee source, and the plant itself is poisonous.
- Nectar
- Low
- Pollen
- Low
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,2-0,6 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Daphne oleoides is a low, cushion-forming shrub of stony and rocky slopes in Turkey's mountains, above all the Taurus. Its white-cream, sometimes pinkish, strongly scented flowers form a narrow, fairly long tube. Because the nectar sits at the bottom of the tube, butterflies, moths and long-tongued wild bees benefit most; honey bees visit only occasionally and to a limited extent.
Flowering
It flowers between May and July depending on altitude; on high plateaus it is one of the first shrubs to bloom once the snow has gone.
Honey and pollen
There are no records of honey being produced from this species. Its pollen contribution is small.
Note for the beekeeper
Although its Turkish name refers to laurel, it is not related to the Mediterranean bay laurel (Laurus nobilis). The bark, leaves and fruits of the genus Daphne are poisonous to people and animals and must not be put in the mouth. Planting it for beekeeping is not recommended; it should be seen as a small part of the mountain pasture flora.