Phew!!! That took some reading and digesting. It would seem that at the time of the research the thought was that Ragwort was not abundant enough in concentrated areas to cause a problem for health. That is a gratifying thought.
However the plant is definitely increasing and is abundant in many areas. It also does damage to the liver of Grazing herbivores over time so one has to question if the same could be true of humans consuming a little and then a little more if the effect to them would be dangerous over a period of time.
I am cheered though that bees obviously are not over fond of foraging on it and that those that do create foul tasting honey so one wouldn't want to eat it anyway.
I feel it is a situation that requires watching. As I said at the beginning of this, I know nothing about bees but I do appreciate their importance in the eco system. What do bees eat??? They make honey and gather pollen and I believe that they survive the winter on stored honey. (someone will put me right on those assumptions if I am wrong) It is understandable that the minute amount of Ragwort pollen might not affect a human being but a bee is a tiny thing. It would be a great lot to a bee surely?
I hope I'm not driving you all nuts with this but I am genuinely interested in my little theory and concerned for our bees.
Thankyou so much for all your thoughts and advice. I am learning an enormous amount.
However the plant is definitely increasing and is abundant in many areas. It also does damage to the liver of Grazing herbivores over time so one has to question if the same could be true of humans consuming a little and then a little more if the effect to them would be dangerous over a period of time.
I am cheered though that bees obviously are not over fond of foraging on it and that those that do create foul tasting honey so one wouldn't want to eat it anyway.
I feel it is a situation that requires watching. As I said at the beginning of this, I know nothing about bees but I do appreciate their importance in the eco system. What do bees eat??? They make honey and gather pollen and I believe that they survive the winter on stored honey. (someone will put me right on those assumptions if I am wrong) It is understandable that the minute amount of Ragwort pollen might not affect a human being but a bee is a tiny thing. It would be a great lot to a bee surely?
I hope I'm not driving you all nuts with this but I am genuinely interested in my little theory and concerned for our bees.
Thankyou so much for all your thoughts and advice. I am learning an enormous amount.