Ziziphora clinopodioides

Value for beekeeping

A small plant with a woody base that grows on stony steppe, rocky slopes and highland pastures from the high parts of eastern and Central Anatolia to the Caucasus, Iran and Central Asia. When crushed it gives off a strong mint scent, and it is gathered locally for tea. Its pink-lilac flowers form dense heads and are visited by honey bees.

Flowering

It flowers from June to August depending on altitude. Secretion is good under highland conditions with hot days and cool nights; overgrazing reduces the number of flowers.

Honey and pollen

No monofloral honey is known; together with thyme species it contributes to the spicy, fresh aroma of highland honeys. There are no figures on honey yield for this plant.

Note for the beekeeper

On moves to the highlands, stony slopes where thyme and Ziziphora are both abundant are good places to set up for the early summer flow. Its local Turkish names vary from region to region, and the name kır nanesi ('wild mint') may also be used for other mint species; identification should rely on the Latin name.