Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Carol on October 03, 2013, 12:31:28 pm

Title: Anyone know what this bush is?
Post by: Carol on October 03, 2013, 12:31:28 pm

There are acres of it in the tree farms where they have quit plowing between the rows. It grows about 10' tall ..

(http://s8.postimg.org/5x09b9kch/002sm.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5x09b9kch/)

Right now it is full of buds....I'm hoping it is a plant that bees love..

(http://s12.postimg.org/ud75t8ieh/003sm.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/ud75t8ieh/)

Title: Re: Anyone know what this bush is?
Post by: Simon on October 03, 2013, 08:44:26 pm

I could be way off here (and i probably am), but it could be some kind of Acacia (Wattle).  When the flowers open you could get a better idea.  A look at a  young tree might also confirm or eliminate the Acacia idea as many young Acacias have sort of feathery leaves that are completely different to the adult tree.  Some of what we call Wattles here retain the feathery leaves into adulthood.  If it is an Acacia then the bees will probably be quite pleased - many Tasmanian species are listed in the "Field Guide to Native Flora Used by Honeybees in Tasmania".  No doubt someone with local knowledge will set me straight.

Simon

Title: Re: Anyone know what this bush is?
Post by: Carol on October 06, 2013, 01:36:44 pm

I've been checking it everyday...today I saw lightening bugs on one of the branches so maybe it is getting ready. They were all over the Pepper Bush just before it's buds started opening.

Title: Re: Anyone know what this bush is?
Post by: Geoff on October 06, 2013, 07:43:20 pm

   The leaves in the close up certainly look like those of the black Wattle Simon whereas in the other pic the branching looks more like a eucalypt of a Mallee or W.A. species.

Title: Re: Anyone know what this bush is?
Post by: Carol on October 09, 2013, 02:45:17 pm

The last couple of days I've seen one or two Honeybees checking it out. Today I saw one collecting pollen...

(http://s7.postimg.org/3jqczs1mf/015cs.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/3jqczs1mf/)

What ever it is....it looks like bee food. Nice yellow pollen and I watched my hives and saw some coming in. It is just starting to bloom. Only a few bushes right now...but soon there will be hundreds.

Title: Re: Anyone know what this bush is?
Post by: Simon on October 18, 2013, 05:16:08 am

By the looks of the flowers, Acacia is probably not the answer.  Surely someone must know what it is.  I am certainly interested to find out.

Simon

Title: Re: Anyone know what this bush is?
Post by: JWChesnut on October 18, 2013, 12:05:09 pm

Flowers are in the "sunflower" family, and in  one of the discoid sub-tribes.
Most likely a Bacharris aka Groundsel.  Bacharris diocia or similar.