Scorpion senna

Value for beekeeping

Formerly known as Coronilla emerus, this species is a leguminous shrub 1–2 metres tall that grows on warm limestone slopes, in scrub and along woodland edges. In Turkey the subspecies emeroides occurs around the Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean regions. Its yellow flowers open in groups of two to four and have long-clawed petals; its main pollinators are bumblebees, while honey bees come regularly for nectar and pollen, but in moderate numbers.

Flowering

It flowers from April to June; in cool, shady spots flowering stretches over several weeks, and in hot summers it may occasionally flower a second time.

Honey and pollen

It has no honey of its own; it goes into the mixed scrubland honeys of late spring. Its pollen helps colonies build up in spring.

Note for the beekeeper

It is an ornamental shrub that tolerates drought and limy soil and takes pruning well. Planted as a hedge or on banks around the apiary, it helps fill the gap between fruit blossom and the summer plants.