Which Plants Produce Toxic Nectar?

It is known that the species of plant honey bees are foraging on, can affect the taste, colour, thickness and fragrance of the honey.  For example, heather produces dark, gelatinous honey.  Oil seed rape can also causes honey to crystallise quickly.

However, it is actually possible for bees to produce honey that is toxic for humans, or to produce honey that is bitter tasting to humans.

Below is a list of plants taken from the research paper: The ecological significance of toxic nectar - Lynn S. Adler (OIKOS 91: 409 – 420. Copenhagen 2000). 

(Please note, some of these plants may be present in your country, or not, but this website receives visits from many different countries).


Plant Species
& Family

Effect on
Honey


Reference

Aguaria spp. (Ericaceae)


Andromeda spp (Ericaceae)


Kalmia spp.(Ericaceae)

Rhododendron flavum
(Ericaceae)

Rhododendron ponticum
(Ericaceae)


Paullinia australis (Sapindaceae)

Honey toxic to humans

Eckert 1946, Mussen 1979

Azalea pontica
(Ericaceae)

Kalmia latifolia (Ericaceae)

Honey toxic to humans

Kebler 1896

Euphorbia spp. (Euphorbiaceae)

Honey bitter to humans, induced nausea

Pryce-Jones 1942

Arbutus unedo  (Ericaceae)

Honey bitter to humans, induced nausea

Pryce-Jones 1942

Ledum Palustre (Ericaceae)

Honey toxic to humans

Kozlova (1957)

Senecio jacobaea (Asteraceae)

Honey bitter to humans

Deinzer et al. 1977



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