Wild Honeybees on Campus

Despite the difficulties commercial beekeepers face, it is not uncommon to find wild colonies of honeybees on campus. They have been found in Laurel Oaks, Live Oaks, and Cabbage Palms. Now we have a colony in a fig tree -- not in a cavity but out in the open. 

We've contacted a local beekeeper who may be able to both remove and save the colony, which faces an uncertain future out in the open as winter approaches. We may even get some honey, but the beekeeper cautions that this late season honey is likely to be from Brazilian Pepper and Melaleuca, which are considered commercial, not table, grade honey.

Spring Puts the erythr (red) in Erythrina

Coralbean or Cherokee Bean is a native pea Erythrina herbacea and a big specimen can be found in the northwest corner of the Caples Garden.

The red flowers are said to attract hummingbirds. Toxic alkaloids are found throughout the plant, so don't be experimenting with this one. The seeds are just as red as the flowers and lack the black spot that distinguishes the similarly poisonous Rosary Pea (Arbrus precatorius), which is also found on campus. General rule of thumb: Don't eat red seeds!

Mulberries 2011

It's early March and the mulberries are blooming. Look for them on the Caples campus (two varieties) in the garden area, on the Ringling grounds (walk south from the southeastern corner of the Rose garden past the stumps and cabbage palms) and northeast of the Four Winds cafe.

For more about mulberries, see an earlier blog entry.