I was wondering if Honey Bees are attracted to Lantana?
I've seen a honey bee or two on some but usually they don't bother with it. (Also the berry it produces is deadly to eat) It's otherwise a pretty plant.
I have the old multi-colored variety that is pink lavender, and pale yellow. The butterflies love it, but I don't see bees in it. I have read that bees will work the golden-yellow variety though.
I have just realized you're from the south. Lantana up here in New Jersey is an annual at best, but down where you are it grows into a fair sized bush. So perhaps if you have enough fair sized plants they might get more attention.
Glad this topic came up....I just bought ten lantana plants yesterday and was thinking of putting them around the bird-baths where the bees get water. Guess I'll change plans and put the lemon balm there, instead.
"The spread of lantana is aided by the characteristic of their leaves, which are somewhat poisonous to most animals, while their fruit is a delicacy for many birds"
"As a positive aspect, lantanas are useful as honey plants, and Spanish Flag (L. camara), L. lilacina and L. trifolia are sometimes planted for this purpose"
Found this at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantana
I will not be eating the berries to this plant because Wikipedia said so.
Quote from: MrILoveTheAnts on June 16, 2009, 07:44:17 PM
I will not be eating the berries to this plant because Wikipedia said so.
Pshaw! You can't believe everything you read on the internet!! :roll: I usually wait till I get a tummyache from random berries, then check it out on the internet :evil:.
http://books.google.com/books?id=99Dr7v8JOKAC&pg=PA104&lpg=PA104&dq=Lantana+berries&source=bl&ots=e-fOR0GGHi&sig=NtBZYMl1XJwWGOxVEAxt0JRiizM&hl=en&ei=F1o4SsnJI4XKtgeF4ejlDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4
Hope you didnt misunderstand me. I just found that topic but I would not try eating them. If they say you can only eat a certain thing during a certain time that usually is a sign that you dont want to eat it at all. I stick with the berries I know best.