| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Jamanda |
Rhododenron honeyInteresting article.Basically saying that honey from bees that have been foraging on Rhododendron can be poisonous. |
| Ty Gwyn |
The leaves and bark are poisonous if eaten in enough quantity,
Did`nt know about the flowers. |
| Mistress Rose |
This has been going the rounds for several decades at least. The nectar or pollen is said to be poisonous to the bees too, and some bumble bees have been affected by it. If you are worried, the best thing to do is leave the honey for a while before bottling and using. |
| Lorrainelovesplants |
Its the same story about ragwort honey, BUT, you would need to eat a helluva lot of ragwort or rhododensron honey to poison yourself, and who is to say that the bees solely collect nectar from these plants anyway?
Not worried. |
| Falstaff |
There is loads of stuff out there, which is notionally poisonous, without ever killing anyone. |
| Tavascarow |
I've yet to see a honey bee working the Rhodies here.
I'm sure if there was nothing else in flower they would take it, but it's not near the top of their preference list. |
| Mistress Rose |
I think bumble bees go for it more than honey bees Tavascarow. They are the ones that sometimes get poisoned. |
| Falstaff |
Why would a plant have flowers which poison it's pollinators ? 
Evolutionary suicide surely ? |
| sean |
They're not native to this country. Presumably whatever pollinates them in the Himalayas isn't affected by the toxin. |
| robkb |
They're not native to this country. Presumably whatever pollinates them in the Himalayas isn't affected by the toxin. |
Yeti's?
