Hedysarum varium
A legume of Central and East Anatolian steppes with purple-pink racemes; its genus is known for good nectar and it adds to steppe honeys.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,2-0,5 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Hedysarum varium is a hairy-leaved perennial legume of the dry steppe, stony slopes and pastures of central and eastern Anatolia. Its purple-pink pea flowers form racemes at the tips of the stalks. Species of the genus Hedysarum generally give good nectar; sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), sown as a fodder crop in the Mediterranean, even produces a monofloral honey. Measurements specific to this species, however, are few.
Flowering
It flowers from late May to July depending on altitude; on the steppe it coincides with milkvetch, sainfoin and thyme.
Honey and pollen
It gives no monofloral honey; it goes into mixed steppe and mountain pasture honey. Its pollen contribution is moderate.
Note for the beekeeper
As it has no established Turkish name, it is referred to by its Latin name. The diversity of steppe legumes is the basis of mountain pasture beekeeping; on overgrazed pastures these species decline quickly.