tansy and a few recent photos

15 years ago

Since letting the yard grow "wild", IÂve been able to observe bees a little closer while providing a little bit of habitat for them. One plant I had never given any thought to was tansy. It seems insignificant but the plants in my front yard have been covered with honeybees and native bees. I looked in my bee books including my copy of "Honey Plants of North America", and "ABC and XYZ of Bee Culture" and couldnÂt find a reference to tansy. I did find mention in "Plants and Beekeeping" by F.N. Howes about beekeeping in the British Isles and tansy was referenced as follows:

"Honey bees do visit the yellow flower-heads of this very common wild plant and have been observed probing for nectar as well as gathering pollen. However, they do not appear to visit in large numbers. Possibly the strong smell does not appeal to them. It can hardly be called a good bee plant. The dried flower-heads. leaves, and stalks are said to make good smoker fuel, burning slowly with a pleasant aroma.(Bee World 1935, p124)

That being said, I have observed dozens of bees working the tansy and flying away with full pollen baskets, so I would say it is of some use to the hive.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x222/berkshirebee/Honey%20bee%20Photos/08_12-1.jpg

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x222/berkshirebee/Honey%20bee%20Photos/17_21.jpg

Comments (3)

beegood_gw
15 years ago
Out here in Alberta Tansy is considered a noxious weed. And if you don't get rid of THEY will and you pay them.I have the odd one in my pasture but rip it out right away.
Konrad___far_north
15 years ago
Nice shot's Tony!
I have some plats still coming up after pulling out a few over several years.
Apparently the leafs and stem are toxic and it makes you wonder if pollen is toxic too?
I'm pretty sure, your bees know best what's good for them.

Here is a link that might be useful: More on Tansy
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tonybeeguy
Original Author
15 years ago
Konrad, Yeah, I wondered that too. You read about the old-time uses and then read the modern warnings on a lot of plants and it makes you wonder if more people died or got sicker from remedies in the old days than the ailments they were trying to cure. On the other hand, there's much good to say about herbal medicine, and most of the modern pills and such have so many warnings about side affects that I don't take anything. My sisters, on the other hand,literally pass around the advil bottle like they were handing out M&Ms. One took some because a bee stung her on the finger and she said it really hurt. but I'm getting off track.
As for the bees, there are lots of plants that we can't touch or eat but produce perfectly fine honey such as poison ivy. I didn't see tansy listed with plants that produce toxic honey. Konrad, I'm looking foward to seeing you post some more of your great photos.