[garprob]

I was on my way home from work this evening and saw a field of what I initially thought was alfalfa. But the alfalfa bloom has not quite started and this field was full of these pink blossoms. I stopped and plucked a stalk of blossoms that were growing on a very alfalfa-like plant. Here are a couple links to the photos. Anyone know what is is and if it is a good nectar source for bees?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertsonbees/4692629486/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robertsonbees/4692629296/in/photostream/

 

[JP]

It is loosestrife. http://ww2.aspenpitkin.com/Portals/...and-management/Scans/Loosestrife Brochure.pdf


...JP

 

[Oldbee]

The flowers look like they belong to the Pea family; Fabaceae, which alfalfa belongs to. It would help to know what the rest of the plant looks like.

I'll take a guess at it and say it is "Sainfoin". Never heard of that common name myself. > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onobrychis_viciifolia

> http://www.sainfoinseed.com/

 

[garprob]

Sainfoin it is- thanks!

 

[JP]

Sainfoin it is- thanks!

Well, ask me a bee question next time. I thought it looked like loosestrife. Sainfoin? Ain't that what you put in rice? Or is it that saffron?


...JP

 

[garprob]

Certainly does look at loosestrife. But after reading about the two and comparing stem and leaf structure to what I saw in teh field I can see it is sanfoin. I should have picked more than just the flowers.

 

[beebiker]

here ya go garp
http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231843&highlight=sanfoin

i have a bunch planted around the house but it's not flowering just yet, looks like lovell is still a few weeks ahead of powell

beebiker

 

[garprob]

Actually, this field is located just east of Powell. It is on the north side of the highway at the intersection with the road that angles off and runs through NWC campus.

 

[beebiker]

hey cool
must be that the stuff i have planted around the house is just a little too shaded, it's growing well but is not quite ready to bloom.
i am guessing the road you are refering too is the one that kicks off where the beet dump is on the south side of the highway. someone had a bunch of hives out there on the east side of town last year. i have not traveled that route so i don't know if they are back again.
on a side note i just made a split on my tbh and placed them south of town down on the wilwood , friend of mine has 130 acres of alphalpha seed he is raising this year so they should do fine providing it quites raining every 4 or five days

beebiker