Worldwide Beekeeping

Worldwide Beekeeping Resource Library => Honey, Bee Forage; Nectar & Pollen Sources => Topic started by: Mikey N.C. on October 04, 2017, 04:43:56 pm

Title: Aster?
Post by: Mikey N.C. on October 04, 2017, 04:43:56 pm

New beek here they say we get a late flow from golden rod an aster.  Does any know what this is
(https://s1.postimg.cc/6hxuzxmt0b/1004171355b.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6hxuzxmt0b/)

Title: Re: Aster?
Post by: Perry on October 04, 2017, 05:10:55 pm

We have a lot of Aster up here but it is usually purple. Not to say that yours isn't Aster though, it could well be.

Title: Re: Aster?
Post by: Jen on October 05, 2017, 12:20:08 am

I'll find out for ya Mikey. My aster is purple as well.

Title: Re: Aster?
Post by: Jen on October 05, 2017, 01:40:16 am

Hey Mikey, your little white flowers look like Chamomile to me, but my daughter who is a master gardener says it might also be Fleabane

Title: Re: Aster?
Post by: apisbees on October 05, 2017, 05:35:38 am

We are at a disadvantage Jen, Being on this side of the Rockies and continental divide, easterners have a whole bunch of plants that we never see on the pacific side of the country.

Title: Re: Aster?
Post by: Bakersdozen on October 05, 2017, 05:53:30 am

Mikey, that is definitely an aster.  Probably Heath aster.  They are native here and one of the very last blooms to be found. 
(https://s1.postimg.cc/49n50ftruj/20161023_130514_resized.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/49n50ftruj/)
Observing the plant on a sunny day will show what an asset they are for insects as they use the nectar and pollen.

There are over 100 species of goldenrod in North America.  Not all are desirable to honey bees.  As luck would have it, the golden rod in my vicinity goes unnoticed. We have 12 different species in Kansas.

Title: Re: Aster?
Post by: neillsayers on October 05, 2017, 11:14:22 am

Times 2 on fleabane. Asters are a huge family of plants that includes goldenrod.
 :)

Title: Re: Aster?
Post by: riverbee on October 17, 2017, 10:22:19 pm

mikey, this is an excellent picture!

i am with bakers, it is an aster type plant and not fleabane, the petals for fleabane are much different and other features. not sure what the aster type is, was sorta looking at nc's aster types......maybe frost aster.......? it is one of the last aster's to bloom in north carolina.

so many asters on the planet!  beautiful picture!  consider sending off to your county ag/extension agent, to maybe help identify what species it is?  they can identify a particular species for you.

Title: Re: Aster?
Post by: brooksbeefarm on October 17, 2017, 11:14:37 pm

I'm with B13, it is Aster, the bloom is about over here. If there is a lot of it around you? your hives will have sweet smell coming from them, we have the purple and white, but around my area there is more of the white Aster. Jack

Title: Re: Aster?
Post by: Les on October 18, 2017, 07:55:14 am

Fleabane, part of the Aster family