Bees weeds
Weeds are more useful than you think
Weeds can play a valuable role in your garden and landscape. They help bring minerals into circulation in the soil, retain moisture, provide living ground cover and mulch, and attract or repel insects. Some also attract beneficial insects that help protect your crops.
This listing is organised by area of origin and features weeds found in South Africa.
While many weeds offer limited pollen or nectar, some can be valuable forage plants for honey bees. Plants such as cosmos, false dandelion, echium, ramnas and various senecios can help stimulate brood production and sustain colonies. Under favourable conditions, they may even contribute to a surplus honey harvest.
Take a closer look at the plants we commonly call weeds. You may find that some are worth keeping around, both for the health of your garden and for the honey bees that depend on them. Use the listing to reference their pollen and nectar value and where they occur in South Africa.
South African Origin
Rough Chaff Flower
Achyranthes aspera is mostly found in shaded sites of Savanna and riverine forests. Not often visited by bees.
South African origin with pollen and nectar sources.
Red Pigweed
A. thunbergii is indigenous to southern Africa. Small annual with prostrate growth habit, mostly in cultivated fields.
A pollen source.
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.
Good pollen and nectar source.
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.
Good nectar source.
Balloon Milkweed
A. physocarpa. SW Cape, EC, KZN, MP, G, LIM occurring naturally in grassland.
Nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen source.
Wild Foxglove
Ceratotheca triloba. EC, KZN, SZ, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Upright annual, sometimes perennial, of cultivated fields or disturbed grassland.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Staggers Weed
Cotula nigellifolia. SC to KZN. Straggling annual or perennial found in damp places. Poisonous to stock.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
No common name
Cyathula uncinulata. WC to KZN, FS, northern provinces, ZIM. Minor weed of forest margins. Robust scrambling herb.
Nectar source.
Sedge
Cyperus spp. Southern Africa, mostly indigenous, with few exotics. Tufted, grass like herbs.
Pollen source.
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.
Nectar source.
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.
Pollen source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Good pollen and nectar source.
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.
Good pollen and nectar source.
Star Stalk
O. sinuatum. Northern provinces, ZIM, NAM. Annual or semi-perennial spreading herb. Weed of disturbed sandy soils.
Pollen and nectar source.
Wild Poppy
Papaver aculeatum. Eastern half of S. Africa, as well as southwestern Cape. Prickly annual of cultivated fields. Not common.
Pollen source.
Forest Inkberry
Phytolacca octandra. Southern and eastern S. Africa. Large, soft-wooded, perennial shrub. Invades disturbed soils, particularly clear-felled ares in forestry plantations.
Nectar source.
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.
Good pollen and nectar source.
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.
Good pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Cape wild mustard
Sisymbrium capense. Cape Peninsula to KZN; also Karoo and FS. Indigenous annual.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Bankrupt Bush
Stoebe vulgaris. Southern Africa. Greyish shrub of disturbed and overgrazed grassland. The majority of the species fond in the WC.
Pollen source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Tropical Africa
Red Spurge
E.hirta. From KZN through SZ to northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Creeping annual. A weed of gardens, lawns and cultivated fields.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Madagascar Periwinkle
Catharanthus roseus. Madagascar. Naturalised and semi-invasive from LIM to KZN in various habitats. While poisonous it is used medicinally.
Nectar source.
East Africa
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.
Pollen source.
Caribbean
Demoina Weed / Parthenium Weed
Parthenium hysterophorus. Annual that somewhat resembles a blackjack found in KZN, SZ, MP, LIM, ZIM.
Pollen and nectar source.
The Americas
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Crofton Weed
Ageratina adenophora. Central America. Established near Stellenbosch, in Magaliesberg and in KZN Midlands, particularly around Pietermaritzburg. Perennial wee.
Pollen and nectar source.
Invading Ageratum
Ageratum conyziodes. (A. houstonianum). South America. Escaped garden plants in disturbed moist places. Northern provinces to EC. Annual herbs.
Good pollen and nectar source.
Paper Thorn Weed
Alternanthera pungens. South America. Central and eastern S. Africa, NAM, BOT, ZIM. Annual prostrate runners from thickened perennial root.
Pollen and nectar source.
Perennial Pigweed
Amaranthus deflexus. Tropical America. Found in WC to KZN, FS, G. Prostrate herb.
Nectar source.
Common Pigweed
A. hypbridus. North to South America. Widespread in southern Africa. Annual herb. Leaves used as wild spinach and seeds as grain.
Pollen source.
Thorny Pigweed
A. spinosus. Central America. From KZN to northern provinces, BOT, Nam. Annual weed of cultivated and waste lands, particularly the subtropics.
Pollen source.
Fiddle Neck
Amsinckia menziesii. USA. Winter rainfall area of the WC. Yellow flowered annual.
Pollen and nectar source.
Moth Catcher
Araujia sericifera. Brazil. G, FS, KZn, Ec. Semi-woody perennial creeper.
Nectar source.
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.
Pollen source.
Blackjack
Bidens pilosa. South America. Widespread in southern Africa, except arid regions in the northwest. Common annual weed.
Good pollen and nectar source.
Cosmos
B. formosa. Central America. Large annual on the Highveld of KZN, FS, northern provinces. Cultivars grown as ornamentals.
Good pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Soft Weed / Weed Lawn
Brayulinea densa. Tropical America. Weed of sports turn. EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces, ZIM BOT, NAM.
Pollen and nectar source.
Pom-pom Weed
Campuloclinium macrocephalum. Argentina, Brazil. Established in KZN, MP, G, LIM. Declared weed: it is a very serious invader of grasslands.
Pollen and nectar source.
Triffid Weed
Chromolaena odorata. South to North America. Coastal and escarpment regions of EC, KZN, SZ, MP, LIM. Scrambling plant.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Nectar source.
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.
Pollen source.
Cats Claw Creeper
Dolichandra unguis-cati. Central and South America. Declared weed of town gardens and forests of northern provinces.
Pollen and nectar source.
Water Hyacinth
Eichhornia crasspes. Tropical South America. Invades dams and slow-flowing rivers of WC, EC, KZN, MP, G, NW.
Pollen source.
Dove Weed
Eremocarpus setigerus. North America.
Pollen and nectar source.
Painted Euphorbia
E. heterophylla. North America. Exotic, annual, leafy, erect herb in KZN and northern provinces.
Pollen and nectar source.
Smelter’s Weed
Flaveria bidentis. Tropical America. Found in KZN, FS, NC, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM.
Pollen and nectar source.
Quick Weed / Gallant Soldier
Galinsoga parviflora. South America. Established in the Ec, KZN, FS, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Annual herb.
Pollen and nectar source.
Prostrate Globe Amaranth / Ant Seed
Gomphrena celosioides. Tropical South America. In southern Africa from EC northwards.
Nectar source.
Bush Morning Glory
Ipomoea carnea. Tropical America. Escaped ornamental invasive in KZN and LIM. Extrafloral nectar is collected.
Good pollen and nectar source.
Common Morning Glory
I. purpurea. Tropical America.
Pollen and nectar source.
Lantana
Lantana camara. Central and South America. Serious invader in southern and eastern S. Africa, including Gauteng.
Pollen and nectar source.
Apple-of-Peru
Nicandra physalodes. Peru. Large annual herb of disturbed soils in different habitats of summer rainfall regions with higher precipitation.
Pollen and nectar source.
False Garlic
Nothoscordum gracile. North America. Weed in southwestern Cape, EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces.
Pollen and nectar source.
Small Evening Primrose
Oenothera indecora. South America. Widespread in S. Africa, except Namaqualand and NC. Serious weed in vineyards and orchards of the WC.
Pollen and nectar source.
Giant Evening Primrose
O. jamesii. North America. Found in northern provinces, KZN, EC and WC. Robust perennial.
Nectar source.
Rose Evening Primrose
O. rosea. Central America Widely established in S. Africa.
Pollen and nectar source.
Yellow/Sweet Evening Primrose
O. stricta. Chile. Widespread in S. Africa, except NC and Namaqualand. Serious weed in vinyards and orchards of W.C.
Pollen and nectar source.
White Evening Primrose
O. tetraptera. Mexico. Mainly a weed of disturbed grazing areas of the EC, KZN, FS and norther provinces. Small perennial herb.
Pollen source.
Prickly Pears
Opuntia spp. South America, Mexico, USA. They all provide pollen, sometimes abundantly, and some nectar.
Pollen and nectar source.
Pink Garden Sorrel
Oxalis latifolia. South America. found in disturbed grassland and cultivated crops of EC, KZN, FS, MP, ZIM.
Pollen and nectar source.
Demoina Weed
Parthenium hysterophorus. Caribbean. Annual, found in KZN, SZ, MP, LIM, ZIM.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Good pollen and nectar source.
Mexican Richardia
Richardia brasiliensis. Tropical America. Common in cultivated fields of higher rainfall regions, like KZN, FS, northern provinces.
Pollen and nectar source.
American Bramble
Rubus cuneifolius. North America. Declared weed invading grasslands, roadsides, riverbanks and plantations of KZN and MP.
Pollen and nectar source.
Dwarf Khaki Weed
Schkuhria pinnata. South America. Annual herb in EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces, ZIM, BOT, NAM. Common in ploughed fields.
Pollen and nectar source.
Red Sesbania
Sesbania punicea. South America. Poisonous shrub invading damp places from WC to KZN, FS, SZ and northern provinces.
Pollen and nectar source.
Khaki Weed
Tagetes minuta. South America. Throughout southern Africa. Recorded as supported colonies and offering up honey with a caraway flavour!
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Fine-leaved Verbena
Verbena aristigera. South America. Found in EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces.
Pollen source.
Tall Verbena
V. bonariensis. South America. Occurs in southern Africa, except north-western Cape, NAM & Kalahari regions.
Pollen and nectar source.
Wild Sunflower
Verbesina encelioides. South America. Naturalised bushy herb of the NC, NW, LIM, BOT, NAM. Grows in disturbed areas and along roads.
Pollen and nectar source.
Spiny Cockle Burr
Xanthium spinosum. South America. Declared weed in WC, EC, KZN, FS, NW, G, LIM, BOT.
Pollen and nectar source.
Large Cockle Burr
X strumarium. South America. Declared weed in southwestern Cape, EC, KZN, FS, SZ, northern provinces, BOT.
Pollen source.
Mediterranean
Cape Khakiweed
Dittrichia graveolens. Mediterranean. erenial herb of wheat fields, roadsides and waste places in the WC.
Pollen and nectar source.
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare. Mediterranean, Asia Minor. Biennial to perennial. Naturalised in SW Cape to KZN,G.
Pollen and nectar source.
Large Cockle Burr
X strumarium. South America. Declared weed in southwestern Cape, EC, KZN, FS, SZ, northern provinces, BOT.
Pollen source.
Long fruited wild turnip / Mediterranean wild mustard
Brassica tournefortii. Minor weed of cultivation in the Cape provinces.
Pollen and nectar source.
Cut-leaf Medick / Little Burr Clover
Medicago laciniata. Naturalised in southern Africa, particularly in lawns.
Pollen and nectar source.
European
Agrimony
Agrimonia procera. Perennial herb. Established in temperate eastern regions of S. Africa.
Pollen and nectar source.
Scarlet / Blue Pimpernel
Anagallis arvensis. From southwestern Cape to EC and northwards to LIM. Common in Cape cereal fields.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Filaree
Erodium cicutarium. Minor weed found in WC, EC, L, FS.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Umbrella Spurge / Sun Euphorbia
Euphorbia helioscopia. Relatively rare annual weed of gardens and irrigated vegetable fields in WC, EC, KZN, SZ, MP, G.
Pollen and nectar source.
Climbing Knotweed
Fallopia convolvulus. A cosmopolitan weed now found in EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces.
Pollen source.
Fumitory / Pink Weed
Fumaria muralis. Annual weed of sown crops in the WC. Less common in EC, KZn, FS, G, MP.
Pollen and nectar source.
Flatweed / False Dandelion
Hypochaeris radicata. WC to KZN, L, FS, SZ, MP, G, LIM.
Pollen and nectar source.
Wild Lettuce
Lactuca serriola. Found in waste places, gardens and roadsides from the WC to KZN, L, FS, G, MP.
Pollen and nectar source.
Hyssop-leaved Loosestrife
Lythrum hyssopifolium. Found in disturbed damp places in southwestern Cape.
Pollen and nectar source.
Small Mallow
Malva parviflora. Widespread in southern Africa.
Pollen and nectar source.
Yellow Melilot / Sweet Yellow Clover
Melilotus indicus. Established in all provinces in SA as a minor weed. Distinctive coumarin smell.
Pollen and nectar source.
Creeping Sorrel
Oxalis corniculata. Weed in lawns in eastern S. Africa and southern coastal areas.
Pollen and nectar source.
Bristly Oxtongue
Picris echioides. Annual herb of waste places, orchards, roadsides and vineyards. Found in WC, EC.
Pollen and nectar source.
Ribwort / Plantain
Plantago lanceolata. Widespread in southern Africa, except in arid regions.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and honeydew source.
Common Purslane
Portulaca oleracea. Widely distributed in southern Africa. Cosmopolitan, succulent, sprawling annual of gardens and fields.
Pollen and nectar source.
Wild Radish
Raphanus raphanistrum. Plentiful in southwestern Cape and SC in grain fields and other disturbed soils.
Pollen and nectar source.
Wild Mustard / Turnip Weed
Rapistrum rugosum. Not common. Found in southwestern Cape to EC and northwards to FS and NW.
Pollen and nectar source.
European Bramble
Rubus fruticosus. Declared invader from southwestern Cape to EC.
Great pollen and nectar source.
Sheep Sorrel
Rumex acetosella subsp. angiocarpus. Hardy erennial in cultivated lands of WC to KZN to LIM.
Pollen source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Great pollen and nectar source.
Common Sow Thistle
Sonchus oleraceus. Widespread in southern Africa.
Pollen and nectar source.
Corn Spurry
Spergula arvensis. In disturbed sandy soils in WC, EC, KZN, MP, G. Poultry and stock eat the thin succulent leaves.
Pollen and nectar source.
Sand Spurry
Spergularia rubra. Established in WC and EC. Minor weed of sandy, open places in winter rainfall regions.
Pollen and nectar source.
Field Woundwort
Stachys arvensis. An annual established in the southwestern Cape and SC.
Pollen and nectar source.
Chickweed
Stellaria media. Established in vineyards or moit gardens of the WC, EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces.
Pollen and nectar source.
Eurasia
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Blackjack / Knapse Kkerel
Bidens bipinnata. Widespread in southern Africa, except for arid regions in the northwest.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Canada thistle
Cirsium arvense. Established in MP and EC.
Great pollen and nectar source.
Scotch Thistle/Spear Thistle
C. vulgare. From coast to Highveld of WC, EC, KZN, FS, northern provinces.
Good pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Blue Echium
E. vulgare. Less common than purple and established in G, FS, L, EC and southwestern Cape.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Good pollen and necatar source.
Eclipta
Eclipta prostrata. Cosmopolitan weed of damp places. Annual herb with small white flowers.
Pollen and nectar source.
St. John’s Wort
Hypericum perforatum. Established in some fynbos areas and old lands of the southwestern Cape.
Pollen and nectar source.
Henbit Deadnettle
Lamium amplexicaule. Widespread but not abundant in central and western SA. It does not occur in the northern provinces and KZN.
Pollen and nectar source.
Purple Loosestrife
L. salicaria. Escaped ornamental of moist sites on the Cape Peninsula.
Pollen and nectar source.
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.
Pollen and nectar source.
Prostrate Knotweed
Polygonum aviculare. Widespread in southern Africa, except in arid western regions.
Pollen and nectar source.
Sweet Briar
Rosa rubiginosa. Invades high altitude grassland in eastern S. Africa.
Pollen source.
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.
Pollen source.
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 pollen and nectar source.
Field Speedwell
Veronica persica. Not a serious weed of fields, orchards and gardens in ourthern and eastern S. Africa. Annual herb.
Pollen and nectar source.
Asia
Cape Khakiweed
Dittrichia graveolens. Mediterranean. erenial herb of wheat fields, roadsides and waste places in the WC.
Pollen and nectar source.
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare. Mediterranean, Asia Minor. Biennial to perennial. Naturalised in SW Cape to KZN,G.
Pollen and nectar source.
Large Cockle Burr
X strumarium. South America. Declared weed in southwestern Cape, EC, KZN, FS, SZ, northern provinces, BOT.
Pollen source.
Long fruited wild turnip / Mediterranean wild mustard
Brassica tournefortii. Minor weed of cultivation in the Cape provinces.
Pollen and nectar source.
Cut-leaf Medick / Little Burr Clover
Medicago laciniata. Naturalised in southern Africa, particularly in lawns.
Pollen and nectar source.
Australia
Cape Khakiweed
Dittrichia graveolens. Mediterranean. erenial herb of wheat fields, roadsides and waste places in the WC.
Pollen and nectar source.
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare. Mediterranean, Asia Minor. Biennial to perennial. Naturalised in SW Cape to KZN,G.
Pollen and nectar source.
Large Cockle Burr
X strumarium. South America. Declared weed in southwestern Cape, EC, KZN, FS, SZ, northern provinces, BOT.
Pollen source.
Long fruited wild turnip / Mediterranean wild mustard
Brassica tournefortii. Minor weed of cultivation in the Cape provinces.
Pollen and nectar source.
Cut-leaf Medick / Little Burr Clover
Medicago laciniata. Naturalised in southern Africa, particularly in lawns.
Pollen and nectar source.