Study of plants visited by honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) in the Central Rif Region (N. Morocco) using pollen analysis

Abstract

Quantitative pollen analyses of Moroccan honey samples provided by amateur beekeepers from the Central Rif region demonstrates that nectar is generally the main honey source, and that most honeys have a medium-low presence of botanical elements. However, two samples reached values as high as 1.08-1.83 qualifying as honeydew honeys. Qualitative results yielded 60 pollen types belonging to 33 families. Ammi visnaga L., Mentha pulegium L., M. rotundifolia (L.) Hudson, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and Rubus ulmifolius Schott. were the main nectar sources, and Cistaceae, Poaceae, Cannabis sativa L. and grasses were exploited as a pollen source. When compared to the parent vegetation honeydew and mint sources are widely exploited, but other sources such as eucalyptus and heather are underutilised. © 2005 Taylor & Francis.