Onosma taurica
Species of stony steppe slopes with nodding yellow tubular flowers in late spring; visited by bees, though data on its forage value are scarce.
- Nectar
- Medium
- Pollen
- Low
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,15-0,4 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Onosma taurica is a low, bristly-haired perennial that grows on dry, stony, calcareous steppe slopes in the Balkans, Crimea, the Caucasus and Anatolia. The genus Onosma, known in Turkey as emzik otu, includes a large number of species, many of which grow only in Anatolia. The yellow, nodding, tubular flowers accumulate nectar at the base; because the mouth of the flower is narrow, bumblebees and long-tongued bees benefit most, though honey bees also visit. There are no measured nectar and pollen data for honey bees.
Flowering
It flowers from May to July, for periods that vary with altitude.
Honey and pollen
No monofloral honey is known.
Note for the beekeeper
It should be regarded as a secondary source that adds to flower diversity in steppe apiaries. Its roots contain a red dye; excessive digging up of the roots harms populations.