Greek sage
The common sage of Aegean and Mediterranean scrub; its long spring flowering feeds colony build-up with nectar and pollen and is a key spring source on the coast.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 0,5-1,5 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
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A grey-haired, strongly scented shrub that is very common in maquis, phrygana and along the edges of olive groves from western and southern Anatolia to Greece, Cyprus and the Levant. Most of the sage gathered in Turkey is this species. It is a good nectar plant with a moderate pollen contribution; thanks to its wide distribution it is an important part of the spring flow in coastal regions.
Flowering
Its lilac-pink flowers open from late March to June over a period of 6-8 weeks that varies with altitude. Secretion is high on mild, calm and humid spring days; in cold, windy weather flight and visits drop.
Honey and pollen
It is not common as a separate monofloral honey; it adds a light herbal aroma to mixed spring honeys. Its real value for spring build-up is that it supplies food without interruption for a long time.
Note for the beekeeper
Heavy gathering of the leaves during flowering reduces the number of flowers. In coastal apiaries it is a strong enough source to reduce the need for spring feeding; its leaves are also known in Turkey as 'apple tea'.