Honeybees and pollen

steven hart hartsentwine.australia@gmail.com
Sat, 15 Nov 2014 01:13:11 PST
Thanks Leo,  I have a question or 2, ive also read this on many internet
sights & wikis etc, but so far ive only seen early or ancient history on
this subject & haven't found any information on recorded modern day deaths
from plant or bulb contaminated honey....:(

I know Xenophon described this in Roman times, but I wonder what scientific
evidence he used to prove it was plant caused & not any of the other
numerous causes of toxic honey.. But if people have died in North America
from such honey, im guessing this was probably in modern times when science
could actually test the honey to prove it was a particular plant
cause...  Is there a modern record of this available to see ?

Does anyone know of any scientific evidence of deaths in the modern era
proven to be from plant caused poisons ?

As a former bee grower, I would be extremely interested in concrete proof
that a particular plant caused toxic honey that was proven to cause a
death. Part of the reason I ask is, I used to have my bee hives in a
garden absolutely full of lots of Rhododendrons, Amaryllis including some
of the poisonous ones mentioned earlier, & I was just about to get bees
again, European & also stingless Australian Native bees... Although I
obviously didn't die from my honey before even though the little buzzers
used to buzz into all the flowers for a look, im now a bit concerned now
that I might be taking a big risk ?

I cant help but wonder if the bee growers who grow their honey close to the
national Rhododendron garden in VIC have ever had any problems with their
honey...

On 15 November 2014 14:02, Leo Martin <stnalpsoel@gmail.com> wrote:

> Xenophon was the first but not the last to describe poisoning by honey from
> plants with toxic nectar. Kalmia latifolia is well-known as a source of
> this. Deaths have occurred in North America. Rhododendron and other Kalmia
> spp. are also responsible. Leo Martin
> Zone 9?
> Phoenix Arizona USA
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-- 
Steven : )
Esk Queensland Australia
Summer Zone 5  Winter Zone 10



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