African oil palm
An African plantation palm pollinated mainly by small weevils; honey bees collect plenty of pollen from male inflorescences but little nectar.
- Nectar
- Low
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 10-20 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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African oil palm is a palm from West and Central Africa, now grown on very large plantations in South-East Asia and tropical America. It is largely pollinated by small weevils (genus Elaeidobius) that come to its aniseed-scented male inflorescences. Honey bees collect plenty of pollen from the male inflorescences, while the nectar contribution is very limited.
Flowering
The tree forms separate male and female inflorescences and flowers all year round; pollen is therefore always available in plantations.
Honey and pollen
It is not produced as a separate honey. In plantation beekeeping, where the nectar comes from other plants, the pollen contributes to the colony's protein needs.
Note for the beekeeper
Large monoculture plantations are poor in nectar for bees; keeping flowering plants along margins and roadsides improves colony nutrition. Spraying in plantations is a risk for bees. It does not grow in Turkey or Europe; this is an entry for information.