A Checklist of Nectariferous and Polleniferous Plants of African Honeybees (Apis mellifera adansonii L.) in Awka, Nigeria

Abstract

The study on a checklist of nectariferous and polleniferous plants of African honeybees (Apis mellifera adansonii) was carried out in Awka between May, 2014 and April, 2015. The survey of the plants in the study area was done twice a week in all the locations during the study period. The plants were collected and identified. The plant species attractive to the honeybees were categorized into: nectar, pollen and nectar and pollen plants. A total of 69 nectariferous and polleniferious plant species categorized into 31 families with Asteraceae 11 (16%) being the highly visited followed by the families: Euphorbiaceae 6 (9%) and Malvaceae/Vebenaceae 5 (7%). Harungana madagascariensis, Plastostoma africanum, Pegoletia senegalensis, Spigelia anthelmia, Panicum maximum and Stachytarpheta jamaicensis are being reported for the first time as plants visited by honeybees in Awka region. The flowering periods of the plants differed seasonally, with more flowering in the rainy season. The extensive cultivation and propagation, and conservation of these important honeybees plant species in the study area were suggested to improve honey production in Awka.