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Iris
Iris spp. · Iridaceae
Herb
Genus with showy flowers suited mainly to bumblebees and larger bees; low nectar and pollen value for honey bees.
- Nectar
- Low
- Pollen
- Low
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,1-1 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Log in to add it to your apiary.Value for beekeeping
An iris flower works like three separate pollination tunnels: the bee lands on an outer tepal and crawls in beneath the style branch above it to reach the nectar at the base. This structure suits large bumblebees and solitary bees; the honey bee enters the flower less often and can reach only part of the nectar. Pollen is collected in small amounts.
Important species in Turkey
- Bearded iris (Iris germanica): common in cemeteries and gardens, April-May.
- Yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus): in wetlands, May-June.
- Bulbous species such as Iris reticulata and Iris histrio: very early in spring, as the snow melts.
- Species endemic to Anatolia such as Iris sari and Iris kerneriana.
Honey and pollen
It makes no significant contribution to honey.
Note for the beekeeper
The early-flowering bulbous species offer bees a little food at the very start of spring. The rhizomes contain substances harmful to grazing animals; there is no known problem as far as honey is concerned.