Tree heath
The white-flowered heath of the maquis; abundant nectar and pollen in March-May feed spring build-up, and it yields a monofloral honey in parts of the Mediterranean.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 1-4 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Tree heath is one of the dominant shrubs of the maquis along the Aegean, Marmara, western Black Sea and Mediterranean coasts. The small, white, fragrant bell flowers that cover its branches are rich in both nectar and pollen. Where heath cover is extensive it lets colonies build up fast in spring and can increase the tendency to swarm.
Flowering
It flowers from early March on the coast to May at higher elevations, for about 4-6 weeks. Cool, rainy spring days can interrupt the flow.
Honey and pollen
In Italy, Corsica, Spain and Portugal it is produced as a monofloral honey; it is amber with orange-brown tones and a caramel-like aroma. In Turkey it is mostly consumed in the brood nest or goes into mixed spring honey.
Note for the beekeeper
In Turkey the name püren is used for several heath species. The plant that flowers in autumn in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions and is the real source of püren honey is a different species (Erica manipuliflora). Pipes are made from the root of tree heath; areas under pressure from uprooting are shrinking.