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Rhododenron honey

 
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jamanda
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Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35056
Location: Devon
PostPosted: Mon Jun 08, 15 4:48 pm    Post subject: Rhododenron honey Reply with quote
    

Interesting article.

Basically saying that honey from bees that have been foraging on Rhododendron can be poisonous.

Ty Gwyn



Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4562
Location: Lampeter
PostPosted: Mon Jun 08, 15 8:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The leaves and bark are poisonous if eaten in enough quantity,
Did`nt know about the flowers.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 15 6:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

This has been going the rounds for several decades at least. The nectar or pollen is said to be poisonous to the bees too, and some bumble bees have been affected by it. If you are worried, the best thing to do is leave the honey for a while before bottling and using.

Lorrainelovesplants



Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne
PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 15 10:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Its the same story about ragwort honey, BUT, you would need to eat a helluva lot of ragwort or rhododensron honey to poison yourself, and who is to say that the bees solely collect nectar from these plants anyway?
Not worried.

Falstaff



Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 1014

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 15 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

There is loads of stuff out there, which is notionally poisonous, without ever killing anyone.

Tavascarow



Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 8407
Location: South Cornwall
PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 15 2:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I've yet to see a honey bee working the Rhodies here.
I'm sure if there was nothing else in flower they would take it, but it's not near the top of their preference list.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15539

PostPosted: Wed Jun 10, 15 6:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I think bumble bees go for it more than honey bees Tavascarow. They are the ones that sometimes get poisoned.

Falstaff



Joined: 27 May 2009
Posts: 1014

PostPosted: Wed Jun 10, 15 7:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Why would a plant have flowers which poison it's pollinators ?

Evolutionary suicide surely ?

sean
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Wed Jun 10, 15 9:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They're not native to this country. Presumably whatever pollinates them in the Himalayas isn't affected by the toxin.

robkb



Joined: 29 May 2009
Posts: 4205
Location: SE London
PostPosted: Wed Jun 10, 15 11:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

sean wrote:
They're not native to this country. Presumably whatever pollinates them in the Himalayas isn't affected by the toxin.


Yeti's?

sean
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Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42207
Location: North Devon
PostPosted: Wed Jun 10, 15 11:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

robkb wrote:
sean wrote:
They're not native to this country. Presumably whatever pollinates them in the Himalayas isn't affected by the toxin.


Yeti's?


That'll be it. Yetis fluttering from flower to flower drinking deeply of the rhododendron nectar and accidentally transferring pollen on their furry faces.

Cathryn



Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 19856
Location: Ceredigion
PostPosted: Wed Jun 10, 15 2:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I want to get a photo of that.

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