Sulla
Red-flowered forage legume of the western Mediterranean; source of Italy's famous, almost white sulla honey and a strong late-spring flow.
- Nectar
- Very good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Crystallisation
- Medium
- Height
- 0.5-1.5 m
- Life cycle
- Biennial
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Sulla is a legume sown for fodder and green manure in southern Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Spain and North Africa, well adapted to heavy, calcareous clay soils. Its bright red flower racemes secrete abundant nectar; in good years colonies fill supers within a short time.
Flowering
After autumn sowing it flowers in the second year, from April to June, for about 4-6 weeks. If winter rainfall is sufficient the flow is strong; early-summer drought shortens flowering.
Honey and pollen
Sulla honey is among the lightest-coloured European honeys; it has a faint floral aroma, a mild sweetness and low acidity. Within one to two months it crystallises into a fine, white, creamy texture. Its pollen contribution is moderate.
Note for the beekeeper
Commercial cultivation is not widespread in Turkey; forage crop trials on the calcareous clay soils of the Mediterranean coast are also of interest for beekeeping. It is still referred to by its old name, Hedysarum coronarium.