Pollen analysis of honeys from Mediterranean region of Anatolia

Abstract

Twenty‐five samples of honey from different localities of the province, Anatolia, in the Mediterranean were examined for pollen content. Eleven samples were unifloral (>45% pollen of one taxon in sample) with three being unifloral for Apiaceae, two for Pimpinella anisum, two for Raphanus raphanistrum, one for Eucalyptus spp. one for Cirsium sp., one for Plantago sp. and one for Ulmus sp. Pollen analysis indicated 91 pollen forms of which 70 came from nectariferous and 21 from nectarless plants. The honeys had contained 14 to 36 different types of pollen. The average number of pollen types per honey was 22. Secondary pollen components were from 11 taxa: Anthemis sp., Astragalus sp., Citrus sp., Euphorbia sp., Ferula sp., Rosa sp., Rhamnus sp., Olea europaea, Salix sp., Pimpinella anisum and Trifolium sp. Fifty‐nine pollen types occurred as ‘important minor’ types. Apiaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Rosaceae were the most represented families. Although, the honeys of citrus were collected throughout southern Anatolia, Citrus sp. was not particularly attractive to foragers nor was it major pollen or nectar sources in this region.