Bees Weeds

Weeds do amazing things in your gardens and landscapes

They help as a natural mineral fixer in the soil, moisture retention, creating a living mulch, they repel insects and or attract the insects and the bugs that your crops can take advantage of.  This listing is by area of origin, with all these weeds being found in South Africa.

Generally weeds have little pollen or nectar, but some of the herbs are useful to beekeepers, like cosmos, false dandelion, echium, ramnas and different senecios, as they are valuable for stimulating brood production and maintaining colonies, and under good conditions they may produce surplus honey.  Check out the table below to reference the beeplant values on these weeds which have been observed with honey bee activity.

Rough Chaff Flower

Achyranthes aspera is mostly found in shaded sites of Savanna and riverine forests.  Not often visited by bees. Beeplant value of N0-2 P0-1

Red pigweed

A. thunbergii is indigenous to southern Africa.  Small annual with prostrate growth habit, mostly in cultivated fields. Beeplant value N0 P0-2

Cape Marigold

Arctotheca calendula. WC to southeastern Cape and Karoo, particularly coastal areas or disturbed soils of vineyards and wheat fields. Two growth forms tufted or sprawling. Beeplant value N0-3 P0-4

Shrubby milkweed

Asclepias fruticosa. Annual or semi-perennial shrub of disturbed sites throughout southern Africa. Lovely source of nectar, contributing to honey of the mixed spring flow. Beeplant values N2-4 P0

Balloon milkweed

A. physocarpa. SW Cape, EC, KZN, MP, G, LIM occurring naturally in grassland. Beeplant value N3? P0

Borreria

Borreria scabra. Northern Provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Small, annual, hairy herb, a minor weed of disturbed soils in different habitats. The white flowers have purple streaked nectar guides. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-2

Fishbone Cassia

Cassia mimosoides. EC, KZN, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM.  Annual or short-lived perennial herb in grassland. Non-aggressive weed in disturbed areas.  Beeplant value N? P0-1

Wild foxglove

Ceratotheca triloba. EC, KZN, SZ, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM.  Upright annual, sometimes perennial, of cultivated fields or disturbed grassland. Beeplant value N1? P0-3

Spider wisp

Cleome gynandra. NC, FS, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM.  Well-known spinach herb of disturbed sites.  Flowers and nectar flow depend on the rainfall of the area. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-3

Yellow-spotted cleome

C. maculata. Northern provinces, BOT. Minor weed of disturbed sandy soils. Two of the four mauve petals have a yellow spot which work as nectar guides, being held upwards until the flower is pollinated, after which the petals droop, hiding the spots. Beeplant value N2 P2?

Single-leaf cleome

C. monophylla. KZN, northern provinces, NC, NAM, BOT, ZIM. Small erect herb with pale pinkish mauve flowers, with yellow and purple nectar guide bands. At times in dense stands in disturbed sandy soils. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-3

Gewone blouselblommetjie

Commelina benghalensis. Also known as the Benghal wandering Jew.  Found from the EC northwards to ZIM, BOT, NAM. Widespread annual week of fields and grdens in the summer rainfall region.  Prostrate or semi-climbing herb with runners, both above and below ground, with flowers that are usually pale blue. Beeplant value N0 P0-2

Wild bindweed

C.sagittatus var. ulosepalus. Widespread indigenous weed of southern Africa.  Serious in wheat fields and vineyards along the Orange River. These small white or pinkish flower close circa 11:00.  Beeplant value N1-2 P0-2

Staggers weed

Cotula nigellifolia. SC to KZN. Straggling annual or perennial found in damp places.  Poisonous to stock. Beeplant value N1 P1 

Yellow buttons

C. turbinata also known as a goose daisy.  SW Cape. Small annual weed of disturbed soils. C. heterocarpa has been recorded as a bee plant in the EC. Beeplant value N0-1? P0-2

No common name

Cyathula uncinulata. WC to KZN, FS, northern provinces, ZIM. Minor weed of forest margins. Robust scrambling herb. Beeplant value N2? P?

Sedge

Cyperus spp. Southern Africa, mostly indigenous, with few exotics. Tufted, grass like herbs. Beeplant value N0 P0-1

Devil’s thorn

Dicerocaryum eriocarpum. NC, NW, G, LIM, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Perennial prostrate herb with trailing stems from woody rootstock. Sandy soils of disturbed areas, grassland and old fields. Beeplant value N0-2 P0?

Golden button sedge

Kyllinga erecta.  SC to KZN, L, FS, northern provinces, BOT. Small, erect, perennial sedge with underground rhizomes. Troublesome in lawns and other greens. Beeplant value N0 P0-1 

Tumble weed

Leucas martinicensis. KZN, SZ, FS, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Indigenous annual herb that has become a weed on roadsides, waste places and cultivated lands. Beeplant value N0-2? P0-1?

Poverty weed

Nidorella resedifolia. Southern Africa. Common annual herb of disturbed areas like ploughed fields or trampled veld. Honey flow and colony build up at Brandfort, Free State, from plants in wheat fields, after abundant rain. Beeplant value N0-3 P0-3

Salt-of-the-tortoise

Oxygonum delagoense. NC, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Annual weedy herb of sandy soils. Flowering time variable depending on rainfall. Dark honey with a strong taste and smell, from the Central Kalahari of Botswana and from the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Beeplant value N0-3 P0-2

Star stalk

O. sinuatum. Northern provinces, ZIM, NAM. Annual or semi-perennial spreading herb. Weed of disturbed sandy soils. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1?

Wild poppy

Papaver aculeatum. Eastern half of S. Africa, as well as southwestern Cape. Prickly annual of cultivated fields. Not common. Beeplant value N0 – P2?

Forest inkberry

Phytolacca octandra. Southern and eastern S. Africa. Large, soft-wooded, perennial shrub. Invades disturbed soils, particularly clear-felled ares in forestry plantations. Beeplant value N0-2 P?

Winter weed

Senecio apiifolius. NC, FS, NW, G, LIM. Annual herb of disturbed places, particularly harvested fields. Grows bst in clay soils that retain moisture during dry winter months. Beeplant value N1-3 P2-4

Starvation senecio

S. consanguineus. NAM, NC, FS, NW. Annual herb. Grassland and stony ground, but sometimes a serious weed of cultivated fields. Pollen boosts brood production. Beeplant value N1-4 P1-3

Molteno disease weed

S. inaequidens. Higher lying areas of eastern half of S. Africa – northern provinces, FS, L, SZ, KZN, Ec. Weed of previously disturbed soils in different locations. Erect perennial herb. Contributes to mixed honeys in the FS.  Beeplant value N2? P2

No common name

S. madagascariensis. SC, EC, KZN, SZ. From coast to midlands. Annual herb that is a common weed in disturbed areas at times. Beeplant value N2? P3?

Heartleaf sida

Sida cordifolia. KZN, SZ, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Annual to perennial upright shrublet with very strong taproot. Established in disturbed soils, also in woodlands. Two other species found in the east of S. Africa S. acuta and S. Alba, noticed with bees attending flowers.

Arrowleaf sida

S. rhombifolia. EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT. Upright biennial or perennial with strong taproot. Found in disturbed areas, except where annual crops are grown. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-3

Cape wild mustard

Sisymbrium capense. Cape Peninsula to KZN; also Karoo and FS. Indigenous annual. Beeplant value N2? P2?

Rosette wild mustard

S. thellungii. WC, EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces. Erect, sparesely branched annual or biennial. S. officinale established in eastern and southern regions of S. Africa with same beeplant value. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Bankrupt bush

Stoebe vulgaris. Southern Africa. Greyish shrub of disturbed and overgrazed grassland. The majority of the species fond in the WC. Beeplant value N0 P0-1

Common devil’s thorn

Tribulus terrestris. Southern Africa. Prostrate annual with spiny fruit. Common in overgrazed veld or disturbed soil along roads and in fields. Nutritious pollen and stimulative nectar rpomote brood production. Small honey crops occasionally. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-3

Kalahari devil’s thorn

T. zeyheri. NAM, NC, BOT, LIM. Similar to T. terrestris, but larger. Common after good summer rains in disturbed sandy areas. Tribulus cristatus, the winged devil’s thorn also provides nectar and pollen for honey bees. Found in sandy soils and on calcrete outcrops of the NC and NAM. Beeplant value N0-3 P0-3

Ant ursinia

Ursinia nana. S. Africa. Small yellow flowered weed of disturbed veld.  Annual or semi-perennial that has outbreak years. Ants freely collect the seeds. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-2

Red Spurge

E.hirta. From KZN through SZ to northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Creeping annual.  A weed of gardens, lawns and cultivated fields. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Hemp-leaf hibiscus

Hibiscus cannabinus. Possibly an Old World Tropics plant.  Weed of KZN, SZ, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Tall erect annual herb. This is also a developing fibre crop, kenaf, or deccan hemp, particularly in KZN. It has an EN note = extrafloral nectar, which is secreted by nectaries that are outside the flower, usually on the leaves. N0-3 P0-1?

Bladder hibiscus

H. trionum. Possibly Old World Tropics. Widespread in southern Africa, except West Coast, Karoo and NC. Straggly herb of disturbed areas and cultivated fields. Flowers close around midday. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Madagascar periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus. Madagascar. Naturalised and semi-invasive from LIM to KZN in various habitats. While poisonous it is used medicinally. Beeplant value N0-1 P0

Castor oil

Ricinus communis. Widespread in southern Africa, but rare in the central interior.  Semi-perennial found on roadsides, river banks and waste places. Declared invader, very toxic seeds – ricin. Nectar obtained from extra-floral nectaries. Beeplant value N0 P0-3 

Starburr

Acanthospermum spp. (A. australe / A. hispidum) South America. Found in KZN, SZ, MP, LIM, NW, with A.hispidum also in ZIM, BOT, NAM.  Annual sub-herbaceous weeds of distrubed soils, particularly cultivated fields. Beeplant value N2 P1

 

Crofton weed

Ageratina adenophora. Central America. Established near Stellenbosch, in Magaliesberg and in KZN Midlands, particularly around Pietermaritzburg. Perennial wee. Beeplant value N3? P2?

Invading ageratum

Ageratum conyziodes. (A. houstonianum). South America. Escaped garden plants in disturbed moist places. Northern provinces to EC. Annual herbs. Beeplant value N0-1? P0-2?

Paper thorn weed

Alternanthera pungens. South America. Central and eastern S. Africa, NAM, BOT, ZIM.  Annual prostrate runners from thickened perennial root. Beeplant vale N0-1 P0-1

Perennial pigweed

Amaranthus deflexus. Tropical America. Found in WC to KZN, FS, G. Prostrate herb. Beeplant value N0-1 P?

Common pigweed

A. hypbridus. North to South America. Widespread in southern Africa.  Annual herb. Leaves used as wild spinach and seeds as grain. Beeplant value N0 P0-2

Thorny pigweed

A. spinosus. Central America. From KZN to northern provinces, BOT, Nam. Annual weed of cultivated and waste lands, particularly the subtropics. Beeplant value N0 P0-3?

Fiddle neck

Amsinckia menziesii. USA. Winter rainfall area of the WC. Yellow flowered annual. Beeplant value N1-3? P0-1

Moth catcher

Araujia sericifera. Brazil. G, FS, KZn, Ec. Semi-woody perennial creeper. Beeplant value N1-3 P0

Mexican poppy

Argemone orchroleuca (A. subfusiformis) Central America. Widespread in disturbed areas and dry riverbeds.  An annual. A. mexicana is far less common and likely has the same beeplant value.  Beeplant value N0 P0-3

Blackjack

Bidens pilosa. South America. Widespread in southern Africa, except arid regions in the northwest. Common annual weed. Beeplant value N1-2 P1-3

Cosmos

B. formosa. Central America. Large annual on the Highveld of KZN, FS, northern provinces.  Cultivars grown as ornamentals. Beeplant value N2-3 P2-3

Sprawling spiderling

Boerhavia diffusa and B. erecta (Erect spiderling). South America. In SA found in WC, EC, KZn, FS, northern provinces, ZIM, Bot, NAM. Annuals to short-lived perennials. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Soft weed / Weed lawn

Brayulinea densa. Tropical America. Weed of sports turn.  EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces, ZIM BOT, NAM. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1 

Pom-pom weed

Campuloclinium macrocephalum. Argentina, Brazil. Established in KZN, MP, G, LIM. Declared weed: it is a very serious invader of grasslands. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Triffid weed

Chromolaena odorata. South to North America. Coastal and escarpment regions of EC, KZN, SZ, MP, LIM. Scrambling plant.  Beeplant value N0-3? P0-2 

Dodder

Cuscuta campestris. North America. Nuisance weed in the WC, EC, Kzn, FS, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT. Small, yellowish parasitic twiner without leaves.  Can be a serious weed on crops of carrots and lucerne. Beeplant value N0-1 P?

Large thornapple

Datura ferox (D. stramonium, Common thornapple). Tropical America. Widespread in Southern Africa. Annual herbs of cultivated fields and disturbed places, with foul smelling leaves. Beeplant value N0 P0-1 

Cats claw creeper

Dolichandra unguis-cati. Central and South America. Declared weed of town gardens and forests of northern provinces. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Water hyacinth

Eichhornia crasspes. Tropical South America. Invades dams and slow-flowing rivers of WC, EC, KZN, MP, G, NW. Beeplant value N? P0-3

Dove weed

Eremocarpus setigerus. North America. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Painted euphorbia

E. heterophylla. North America. Exotic, annual, leafy, erect herb in KZN and northern provinces. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-2

Smelter’s weed

Flaveria bidentis. Tropical America. Found in KZN, FS, NC, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-2

Quick weed / Gallant soldier

Galinsoga parviflora.  South America. Established in the Ec, KZN, FS, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Annual herb.  Beeplant value N0-1 P0-1

Prostrate globe amaranth / Ant seed

Gomphrena celosioides. Tropical South America. In southern Africa from EC northwards. Beeplant value N0-1 P?

Bush morning glory

Ipomoea carnea.  Tropical America. Escaped ornamental invasive in KZN and LIM. Beeplant value N3? P2? Extrafloral nectar is collected.

Common morning glory

I. purpurea.  Tropical America. Beeplant value N? P1?

Lantana

Lantana camara. Central and South America. Serious invader in southern and eastern S. Africa, including Gauteng. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-2

Apple-of-Peru

Nicandra physalodes. Peru. Large annual herb of disturbed soils in different habitats of summer rainfall regions with higher precipitation. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-2

False garlic

Nothoscordum gracile. North America. Weed in southwestern Cape, EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-1

Small evening primrose

Oenothera indecora. South America. Widespread in S. Africa, except Namaqualand and NC. Serious weed in vineyards and orchards of the WC.Beeplant value N0-2? P0-3

Giant evening primrose

O. jamesii. North America. Found in northern provinces, KZN, EC and WC. Robust perennial. Beeplant value N0-1? P

Rose evening primrose

O. rosea. Central America Widely established in S. Africa. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-3

Yellow/Sweet evening primrose

O. stricta. Chile. Widespread in S. Africa, except NC and Namaqualand. Serious weed in vinyards and orchards of W.C Beeplant value N1? P2?

White evening primrose

O. tetraptera. Mexico. Mainly a weed of disturbed grazing areas of the EC, KZN, FS and norther provinces. Small perennial herb. Beeplant value N? P0-3

Prickly pears

Opuntia spp. South America, Mexico, USA. They all provide pollen, sometimes abundantly, and some nectar.  Beeplant value N0-2 P0-3

Pink garden sorrel

Oxalis latifolia. South America. found in disturbed grassland and cultivated crops of EC, KZN, FS, MP, ZIM. Beeplant value N0-3? P0-1?

Demoina weed

Parthenium hysterophorus. Caribbean. Annual, found in KZN, SZ, MP, LIM, ZIM. Beeplant value N1? P3?

Barbados gooseberry

Pereskia aculeata. Argentina, Brazil, West Indies. Semi-succulent straggly climber found in the lowveld of the EC, KZN, MP, LIM and also G.

Sticky gooseberry

Physalis viscosa. Tropical America. Established in EC, KZN, FS, SZ, northern provinces. Perennial shrublet with extensive underground rhizomes. Beeplant value N1-3 P0-1

Honey mesquite / Velvet mesquite

Prosopis glandulosa / P. veluntina. North and Central America. Serious invaders of arid western regions of S. Africa, particularly along river courses. Beeplant value N1-4 P1-3

Mexican richardia

Richardia brasiliensis. Tropical America. Common in cultivated fields of higher rainfall regions, like KZN, FS, northern provinces. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-1

American bramble

Rubus cuneifolius. North America. Declared weed invading grasslands, roadsides, riverbanks and plantations of KZN and MP. Beeplant value N2 P2-4

Dwarf khaki weed

Schkuhria pinnata. South America.  Annual herb in EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM.  Common in ploughed fields. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Red sesbania

Sesbania punicea. South America. Poisonous shrub invading damp places from WC to KZN, FS, SZ and northern provinces.  Beeplant value N0-1 P0-1

Khaki weed

Tagetes minuta. South America. Throughout southern Africa. Recorded as supported colonies and offering up honey with a caraway flavour! Beeplant value P0-2 P0-1

Red Mexican sunflower

Tithonia rotundifolia.  Central America, incl. Mexico. An escaped ornamental in G and eastern S. Africa.  T. diversifolia, the yellow Mexican sunflower is found in lower lying parts of KZN, SZ, MP and LIM.  Beeplant value same for both N0-3 P0-2

Fine-leaved verbena

Verbena aristigera. South America. Found in EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces. Beeplant value N0 P0-1

Tall Verbena

V. bonariensis. South America. Occurs in southern Africa, except north-western Cape, NAM & Kalahari regions.  Beeplant value N1-3? P0-2

Wild sunflower

Verbesina encelioides. South America. Naturalised bushy herb of the NC, NW, LIM, BOT, NAM. Grows in disturbed areas and along roads. N0-3 P0-3

Spiny cockle burr

Xanthium spinosum. South America. Declared weed in WC, EC, KZN, FS, NW, G, LIM, BOT. Beeplant value N0-1? P0-2?

Large cockle burr

X strumarium. South America. Declared weed in southwestern Cape, EC, KZN, FS, SZ, northern provinces, BOT. Beeplant value N0? P0-3

Demoina weed / Parthenium weed

Parthenium hysterophorus. Annual that somewhat resembles a blackjack found in KZN, SZ, MP, LIM, ZIM.  Beeplant value N1? P3?

An interesting history in that in 1986 the cyclone Demoina carried seeds from Swaziland to the Lowveld of Mpumalanga, where it established itself in banana orchards and sugarcane fields, as well as other disturbed soils.

Agrimony

Agrimonia procera. Perennial herb. Established in temperate eastern regions of S. Africa. Beeplant value N1 P1-2?

Scarlet / Blue pimpernel

Anagallis arvensis. From southwestern Cape to EC and northwards to LIM. Common in Cape cereal fields. Beeplant value N1? P1?

Stinking chamomile / Dog fennel

Anthemis cotula. Established in SC, EC, KZN, MP, G, LIM. White daisies with prominent yellow centres. The corn or false chamomile. A. arvensis has become naturalised in KZN. Same beeplant value assumed as stinking chamomile.  Beeplant value N0-2? P0-2?

Filaree

Erodium cicutarium. Minor weed found in WC, EC, L, FS. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Musk heron’s bill

E. moschatum. Found in the WC.  Light purple flowers which are said to already open at night, i.e. early morning has highest bee activity.  Beeplant value N2 P2

Umbrella spurge / Sun euphorbia

Euphorbia helioscopia. Relatively rare annual weed of gardens and irrigated vegetable fields in WC, EC, KZN, SZ, MP, G. Beeplant value N1 P1

Climbing knotweed

Fallopia convolvulus. A cosmopolitan weed now found in EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces. Beeplant value N2? P1

Fumitory / Pink weed

Fumaria muralis. Annual weed of sown crops in the WC. Less common in EC, KZn, FS, G, MP. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-2 

Flatweed / False dandelion

Hypochaeris radicata. WC to KZN, L, FS, SZ, MP, G, LIM. Beeplant value N1-2 P0-3

Wild lettuce

Lactuca serriola. Found in waste places, gardens and roadsides from the WC to KZN, L, FS, G, MP. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-2

Hyssop-leaved loosestrife

Lythrum hyssopifolium. Found in disturbed damp places in southwestern Cape. Beeplant value N2? P2?

Small mallow

Malva parviflora. Widespread in southern Africa. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Yellow melilot / Sweet yellow clover

Melilotus indicus. Established in all provinces in SA as a minor weed.  Distinctive coumarin smell. Beeplant value N1-2 P0-2

Creeping sorrel

Oxalis corniculata. Weed in lawns in eastern S. Africa and southern coastal areas. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Bristly oxtongue

Picris echioides. Annual herb of waste places, orchards, roadsides and vineyards.  Found in WC, EC. Beeplant value N0-2? P1-3?

Ribwort / Plantain

Plantago lanceolata. Widespread in southern Africa, except in arid regions. Beeplant value N0 P0-3

Grey poplar

Populus x canescens. Declared invader of many areas in southern and eastern S. Africa, particularly iverbanks and vleis. Little bee activity here, pollen source in Europe.  Aphid honeydew collected during August in MP. Beeplant value N0 HD0-1 P0-2?

Common purslane

Portulaca oleracea. Widely distributed in southern Africa. Cosmopolitan, succulent, sprawling annual of gardens and fields. Beeplant value N0-2? P0-3 

Wild radish

Raphanus raphanistrum.  Plentiful in southwestern Cape and SC in grain fields and other disturbed soils. Beeplant value P1-2 N2-3

Wild mustard / Turnip weed

Rapistrum rugosum. Not common.  Found in southwestern Cape to EC and northwards to FS and NW. Beeplant value 0-2 P0-3

European bramble

Rubus fruticosus. Declared invader from southwestern Cape to EC. Great beeplant value N2-3 P3-4

Sheep sorrel

Rumex acetosella subsp. angiocarpus. Hardy erennial in cultivated lands of WC to KZn to LIM. Beeplant value N0 P0-2

Gunpowder weed

Silene gallica. Found WC to KZN to LIM, particularly in vineyards and orchards in the WC, rare elsewhere. It is not known whether the bees can reach the nectar in the tubular flowers. Beeplant value N? P1?

Charlock / Wild mustard

Sinapis arvensis. There is a little confusion over the distribution of this in SA. Likely found in MP, FS, KZN and southwestern Cape. Good beeplant value N2-3 and P2

Common sow thistle

Sonchus oleraceus. Widespread in southern Africa. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-1

Corn spurry

Spergula arvensis. In disturbed sandy soils in WC, EC, KZN, MP, G. Poultry and stock eat the thin succulent leaves. Beeplant value N0-2 P-01?

Sand spurry

Spergularia rubra. Established in WC and EC. Minor weed of sandy, open places in winter rainfall regions. Beeplant value N01 P0-1

Field woundwort

Stachys arvensis. An annual established in the southwestern Cape and SC. Beeplant value N1-3? P0-1

Chickweed

Stellaria media. Established in vineyards or moit gardens of the WC, EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-2

Long fruited wild turnip / Mediterranean wild mustard

Brassica tournefortii. Minor weed of cultivation in the Cape provinces. Beeplant value N2 P3

Cape Khakiweed

Dittrichia graveolens. Mediterranean.  erenial herb of wheat fields, roadsides and waste places in the WC. Beeplant value N0-1? P0-3?

Fennel

Foeniculum vulgare. Mediterranean, Asia Minor. Biennial to perennial. Naturalised in SW Cape to KZN,G. Beeplant value N1-3 P1-2

Cut-leaf medick / Little burr clover

Medicago laciniata. Naturalised in southern Africa, particularly in lawns. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-1

Variegated thistle / Milk thistle

Silybum marianum. Uncommon weed in WC, EC, FS, G. Beeplant value N2 P2

Queen Anne’s lace / Lace flower

Ammi majus. Much valued ornamental that has only properly established itself from the wouthwestern Cape to the EC. Weed in seed-carrot fields and vineyards. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-1

Blackjack / Knapse kerel

Bidens bipinnata. Widespread in southern Africa, except for arid regions in the northwest. Beeplant value N1-2 P1-3

Star thistle / Centaurea

Centaurea spp. / C. Calciptrapa or Purple star thistle. C. meltitensis or Yellow centaurea. C. repens or Pink centaurea. C. solstitialis or Yellow star thistle.  All in the southern and central regions of SA.  All are annuals except C. repens.  Beeplant value N1-3 P1-3

Canada thistle

Cirsium arvense. Established in MP and EC. Beeplant value good on N2-3 P0-3.

Scotch thistle/Spear thistle

C. vulgare. From coast to Highveld of WC, EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces. Great beeplant value N2-3 P2-3

Field bindweed

Convolvulus arvensis. Locally in WC, EC, FS, G.  Cultivated fields, particularly grain lands of the Cape, and Karoo Lucerne fields. The white flowers have light-coloured nectar guides and close after midday. Beeplant value N1-3? P1-3?

Purple echium / Salvation Jane / Paterson’s curse

Echium platagineum. Declared weed found in WC, EC, KZN, MP. Appears in vineyards, orchards, pastures and roadsides in WC; and in fields and pastures in the EC and KZN. For some beekeepers this has become an imortant source of pollen. Beeplant value N1-3 P1-3

Blue echium

E. vulgare. Less common than purple and established in G, FS, L, EC and southwestern Cape. Beeplant value N1-3 P1-2

Eclipta

Eclipta prostrata. Cosmopolitan weed of damp places. Annual herb with small white flowers. Beeplant value N1? P1?

St. John’s wort

Hypericum perforatum. Established in some fynbos areas and old lands of the southwestern Cape. Beeplant value N0-1 P0-2

Henbit deadnettle

Lamium amplexicaule. Widespread but not abundant in central and western SA. It does not occur in the northern provinces and KZN. Beeplant value N2? P0-1

Purple loosestrife

L. salicaria. Escaped ornamental of moist sites on the Cape Peninsula. Beeplant value good with N1-3? P2-3

Rough medick / Burr clover

M. polymorpha. From Go FS to KZN, EC WC. A good annual fodder crop if grazed, otherwise burrs entangle burrs. Major bee activity observed during August in the southwestern Cape. The perennial sickle medick, M. falcata, the the semi-annual black medick or hop clover, M. lupulina, have established themselves in several provinces in the summer and winter rainfall regions as minor weeds. Both have a high beeplant rating. Beeplant value N1-3 P0-2

Prostrate knotweed

Polygonum aviculare. Widespread in southern Africa, except in arid western regions. Beeplant value N1-3? P0-1

Sweet briar

Rosa rubiginosa. Invades high altitude grassland in eastern S. Africa. Beeplant value N0 P2?

Russian tumbleweed

Salsola kali. From western S. Africa to EC, FS, NW. Winds dislodge the dry plants, rolling them or long distances. No attention observed in SA from honey bees, the beeplant value was taken from overseas information. Beeplant value N0 P0-2

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale. Minor weed in higher rainfall areas of S. Africa,. Less common than false dandelion. Important spring beeplant for beekeepers in the northern hemisphere. Great beeplant value N2-3 P2-3

Field speedwell

Veronica persica. Not a serious weed of fields, orchards and gardens in ourthern and eastern S. Africa. Annual herb. Beeplant value N1-2 P0-1

Mauritius thorn

Caesalpinia decapetala. Asia. Impenetrable thorny scrambler. Beeplant value N0-2 P0-2

Marijuana / Hemp

Cannabis sativa. Central Asia. Naturalised worldwide in warmer regions. Beeplant value N0 P0-3

Large mallow

Malva verticillata. Asia. Naturalised in L, FS, NW, NC, NAM.  Beeplant value N0-3? P0-1?

White melilot / Sweet white clover

Melilotus albus. Asia Minor. Widespread in southern Africa, but nowhere abundant. A famous North American honey plant with super beeplant value N3-4 P1-3

Kudzu vine

Pueraria lobata. East Asia, Pacific Islands. Established in LIM and MP. Beeplant value N2 P1?

Sweet, Rock & Silky needlebush

Hakea drupacea / H. gibbosa and H. sericea respectively. Serious invaders of mountain fynbos. All 3 species are visted by honey bees for nectar and pollen. Beeplant value N1-2 P0-2

Stink bean

Paraserianthes lophanta. Southwestern Australia. Declared weed that smothers stream bank vegetation from the Cape Peninsula to the EC. N1-3 ? P1?

 

weeds for BEES

Information is gathered from Beeplants of South Africa, Sources of nectar, pollen, honeydew and propolis for honeybees : M.F. Johannsmeier

Bee plant values The Bee Effect