White wall-rocket

Value for beekeeping

White wall-rocket is an annual herb that forms dense carpets in vineyards, citrus groves and orchards and on ploughed fields in eastern Spain, southern France, Italy and North Africa. Its white, purple-veined, four-petalled flowers offer easily reached nectar and plenty of pollen. In these regions it is regarded as one of the most important food sources for bee colonies in winter and early spring, when there is very little else.

Flowering

Where winters are mild it starts flowering after the autumn rains and continues until May; the peak is February–April.

Honey and pollen

It goes into mixed winter and spring honeys; its pollen contribution is decisive for early brood rearing. It is not known as a common monofloral honey.

Note for the beekeeper

It does not grow wild in Turkey. Where it occurs, early tillage between the rows or herbicides wipe out this winter source; it pays for beekeepers to agree with growers on late tillage.