Sicilian sumac
A shrub of dry stony slopes whose small greenish flower panicles are busily worked by bees in June-July, adding to the early summer flow.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 1-3 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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Sicilian sumac is a shrub that grows wild on dry, stony slopes in Turkey, above all in south-eastern and eastern Anatolia, and whose fruit is gathered as a spice. Its very small greenish-white flowers open in dense panicles; the nectar sits on an open disc and honey bees work it intensively. Being drought-tolerant, it is a reliable source in the hot early summer.
Flowering
It flowers between June and July, for about 3-4 weeks. At a time when the spring flowers are over, it helps colonies carry nectar up into the honey super.
Honey and pollen
Commercial monofloral sumac honey is not common; it goes into summer mixed honey. Its pollen contribution is moderate.
Note for the beekeeper
It can be planted on eroded, poor slopes to hold the soil, and its fruit brings income too. The sumac areas around Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep, Mardin and Malatya are worth considering for early-summer apiary sites.