cow parsley

[casualman]

I saw honey bees on cow parsley in field next to my hives last evening.Anyone know what colour pollen? I wonder what the honey would taste like. Plenty of blackberry and other forage around so surprised to see honey bees on this flower.

 

[Chris Luck]

It's unlikely they will take much nectar from cow parsley or even use it for more than an hour or so in the morning, they aren't keen unless there's little else around...

...but one question, are you sure it's cow parsley? Even in the UK I would have thought that finished ages ago, it's a spring plant. Lot's of other look alike Umbilifers though.

Chris

 

[meidel]

cow parsley - There's a lookalike variety here which are fragrant and the bees like it in the morning - I suspect maybe more for the dew - I don't see them later when the sun's on it - they prefer the pink geraniums then which flower throughout the summer.

 

[Red9875]

It would most likely be Hemlock, Looks very similar to cow parsley. But poisinos to cows and other livestock. Tends to start flowering as the cow parsley is finishing through to about end of July / August. Never sure if the bees get anything from it!

 

[george]

Hemlock is very similar but the stems usually have a bright mauve/purple staining on them .
G