Common myrtle
A maquis shrub whose white, stamen-rich flowers open in early summer and give plenty of pollen to colonies entering the summer dearth.
- Nectar
- Low
- Pollen
- Good
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 1-5 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Common myrtle is a fragrant evergreen shrub growing in the maquis along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, in stream beds and on moist valley floors. In the centre of its white flowers there are numerous stamens, like a brush, which produce abundant pollen; its nectar is scarce. Bees visit myrtle mainly for pollen.
Flowering
It flowers between June and August, at times extending into September depending on rainfall and altitude. This period coincides with the summer dearth, when flower sources in coastal areas decline quickly.
Honey and pollen
There is no regular product sold as myrtle honey; its nectar contribution to mixed summer honey remains small. The pollen helps keep brood rearing going without a break in midsummer.
Note for the beekeeper
For coastal apiaries, streams and valley floors where myrtle is abundant can be chosen to ease the pollen shortage of colonies entering the summer dearth. It is easily propagated from cuttings and seed, and it is drought-tolerant.