Kermes oak
A common spiny-leaved shrub oak of Mediterranean maquis; offers spring pollen and in some years modest honeydew, but no nectar.
- Nectar
- None
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 1-6 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Kermes oak is one of the most common shrubs of the maquis along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, under Turkish red pine and on grazed, stony slopes. It is wind-pollinated and gives no nectar. In spring bees collect pollen from the male catkins; in coastal areas this pollen contributes to the early spring build-up of colonies.
Flowering
It flowers between March and May, for a few weeks depending on altitude and aspect. On dry, windy days the pollen disperses quickly and the time bees have to collect it gets shorter.
Honeydew and honey
The kermes scale and other scale insects living on its branches sometimes leave honeydew; bees are seen collecting it, but the amount and continuity are not at the level of oak forests or Turkish red pine honeydew. There is no commercial honey specific to this species.
Note for the beekeeper
For apiaries in maquis areas it can be counted on as early spring pollen support. For the main harvest it should be considered together with sources such as thyme, rockrose and Turkish red pine.