Sophora davidii

Value for beekeeping

This species is a thorny legume that forms extensive scrub in southwest China, especially in the dry, stony valleys and on degraded slopes of Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou and Shaanxi. Its flowers, white to pale blue-violet, open in short racemes that cover the branches along their whole length. Local beekeepers regard it as one of the most important nectar sources of spring, and in the region the honey from this shrub is sold under its own name.

Flowering

Depending on altitude it flowers from April to June; nectar secretion is good in dry, warm weather.

Honey and pollen

Its honey is known regionally; reliable published information on its colour and crystallisation is limited. Pollen is also collected.

Note for the beekeeper

In Europe and Turkey it is only rarely grown as an ornamental; because it tolerates drought and limy soil it could be tried in bee gardens, but there is no information on its yield there. The values in this record are largely based on general information from Chinese sources.