bee flora of westbengal

Bee flora of West Bengal

BEE FORAGE AND DISTRICT WISE FLORAL CALENDER OF WEST BENGAL

Introduction

West Bengal as the name implies, is the western part of a larger regional entity named Bengal. Lying entirely in the northern hemisphere, the state lies between 21 38 N and 27 10 N latitudes and 85 50 E and 89 50 E longitudes. West Bengal covers an area of 87,616 square kilometers. It is bounded along the northern frontiers by the great Himalayas, stretches southwards beyond the tropic of cancer, broad down to the Bay of Bengal in the east. The West Bengal is pre-eminently a land of rivers. The Ganges river basin constitutes about 50 per cent of the state. Brahmaputra has the greatest volume of water of all the rivers. Mahanandi is an important river in Malda. West Bengal has 3 main land regions:1. The Himalayas in the north zone: The mountain area in the north, though small, is a part of the worlds loftiest mountains, the Himalayas, which rise to eternal snows in north or Darjeeling, dominated by Kanchanjanga and her five satellite peaks. The lofty range of Singalila rising along the Nepal Boarder to the west of the town is covered by Rhododendron forests, which provides good forage for honey bees during April and May2. The Plateau Fringe: This is a rolling upland, with small isolated standing here and there contains green forests of Sal, Mahua, Palash etc. provide good forage for honeybees during spring.3. The plains: The vast alluvial plains of the state spread from Jalpaiguri and Siliguri in the north to the Sunderban creeks and the Kanthi littoral in the south. The plains are Mahananda Corridor and Malda plains in the north; South western plains in Ganga banks; South western plains; Sunderbans and kanthi coastal strip.Seasons and Climate

The climate of West Bengal is generally tropical, hot and humid, monsoon type, except the northern mountains , where the altitutde high. There are four well-defined seasons in West Bengal: the winter (December to February), the summer (March-May) advance of monsoon (June to August)Retreat of the monsoon (September to November). Natural Vegetation

The natural Vegetation is almost disappeared from West Bengal. Yet forests of three distinct areas exist in the state. These are (i) the forests of the north, which include the mountain temperate forests and the tropical forests of the Duras, (ii) the deciduous forests of the plateau fringe and (iii) the mangrove forests of Sunderbans. The Sunderbans is a special type with predominant estuarial vegetation that is mainly of an evergreen type., Rhizophora conjugata, Soneratia apetala, Avicennia officinalis, Excoecaria agallocha, Sapium indicum, Casuarina equisetifolia, Nipa fruticans and Phoenix paludosa are dominant plants that provide bee forage. Sunderbans is thickly populated by the wild honey bee species, Apis dorsata, due to these sources and to good protection that is provided by thorny mangroves present in the swamps below. Cultivated Vegetation

The intensity of agricultural cropping in the state is just the same as the average for India it is 16%. 70% percent of the total cultivated area occupies by paddy. Jute is the next important crop. Pulses including gram and peas cover hardly one-tenth of the cultivated land. Oil sedds occupies only trwo percent. Fruits of many types grown, in apples in Darjeeling, peach and pear in Kalimpong, Coconuts in 24, paraganas, Howrahand Midinapore; banana plantation in Singur and Chandernagore; Malda and Murshidabadare important producers of Mangoes; Litchi cultivated in 24, paraganos. Cultivation in Gangetic plains consists mainly of mustards, khesari, coriander, maize, orchards like coconuts, litchi, citrus, areca nut and rose-apple, provides good bee forage. plantations like Eucalyptus and Pongamia contribute to good honey production in this area. In addition, wild shrubs, herbs and vegetable crops (for seed production) provide forage that helps the development of beekeeping in the area.

Floral calendar

Efficiency of the bee-keeping Industry in any country primarily depends on proper utilization of the flora and its improvement so as to augment the component species providing bee-forage. This necessarily requires critical studies of the flora with emphasis on relative evaluation of the individual plant species as nectar or pollen sources. The breeding season of honeybees and honey flow season synchronizes with abundance of food sources in the form of nectar and pollen from profusion of flowering in the locality The field observations on the vegetation are important fore formulation of floral calendar to standardize management patterns of bee colonies. Of these observations most important are

1. Flowering time and duration of bee forage plants.

2. Relative importance and abundance of pollen and nectar

3. Relative densities or area coverage.

Bee flora of West Bengal

Botanical nameLocal nameTrade nameFlowering periodPollen Nectar

Acanthaceae

Adhatoda vasica NeesBasakVasakaMay - Jan---Minor

Hygrophila serpyllum (Nees) T. AndersKule KharaJul - Sep---Minor

Amaranthaceae

Amaranthus spinosus Linn.Kanta NoteyPrickly amaranthusJan - FebMinor--

Anacardiaceae

Spondias pinnata Kurtz.Deshi AmrahHog-plumFeb - Mar---Minor

Anacardium occidentale Linn.Hijli Badam / KajuCashew nutApl MayMinorMedium

Mangifera indica Linn.AamMangoFeb - MarMediumMedium

Apiaceae

Coriandrum sativam Linn.DhoneyCorianderJun - FebMajorMajor

Daucas carota LinnGajarCarrotMar - AprMinor--

Foeniculum vulgare Mill.MouriFennelNov - MarMinor

Apocyanaceae

Alstonia scholaris R.Br.ChhatimDita BarkOct - DecMinor

Arecaceae

Areca catechu Linn.SupariBetel nutMar - AprMinor--

Borassus flabellifer Linn.TaalPalmyraFeb - MarMinor--

Cocos nucifera Linn.NarikelCoconutJan - DecMajorMinor

Phoenix paludosa Roxb.Hintal---Dec - JanMajor--

Phoenix sylvestris Roxb.KhejurWild datesFeb - MarMajor--

Asteraceae

Ageratum conyzoids Linn.UchuntiGoat weedMay - OctMinorMinor

Carthamus tinctorius Linn..Kusum PhoolSafflowerApr - MayMinorMinor

Helianthus annuus Linn.SurajmukhiSunflowerJan FebMajorMajor


Mikania scandens Hook.Taralata---Dec- JanMedium

Parthenium hysterophorus Linn.Congress grassCongress grassMar - DecMinor--

Tagetes erecta Linn.GandaMarigoldAlmostMinorMinor

Tridax procumbens Linn.TridakshaApr AugMinor----

Vernonia cineria LessKukshimPurple fleabaneNov DecMinorMedium

Barringtoniaceae

Barringtonia acutrangula Gaertn.Hijal--Apr-May, Oct-DecMinorMajor

Bombacaceae

Ceiba pentadra Linn.Swet SimulSilk cottonDec JanMajorMedium

Bombax ceiba Linn.ShimoolRed Silk cottonDec JanMediumMinor

Brassicaceae

Brassica juncea Linn.Rai SarishaMustardDec FebMajorMajor

Brassica napus Linn.SarishaRape seedNov JanMajorMajor

Raphanus sativus LinnMula, MuloRadishFeb MarMinorMinor

Caesalpiniaceae

Bauhinia variegata Linn.RaktakanchanKanchanMar-AprMinorMinor

Cassia fistula Linn.Bandar lathi SonajuriIndian LaburnumMay JunMinorMinor

Cassia tora Linn.Kalkasunda--Sep OctMinor--

Delonix regia Rafin.Krishana- churaGul Mohar Flame treeApr JanMediumMinor

Tamarindus indica Linn.TentulTamarindMay JunMinorMajor

Cleomaceae

Cleome iscose Linn.Holdey hurhureCleomeMay AugMinor--

Combretaceae

Quisqualis indica LinnBrahmalataRangoon creeperMay AugMinorMinor


Terminalia arjuna Wt. &Arn.ArjunArjunMay JunMediumMedium

Terminalia bellerica Roxb.BhairahBelleric myrobalanMar-AprMinorMedium

Terminalia cattappa Linn.Deshi BadamIndian almondApr MayMinorMinor

Terminelia chebula Retiz.HaritakiChebulaFeb-MarMinorMinor

Commelinaceae

Commelina benghalensis Linn.KansiraCommelinaJul OctMinorMajor

Cyanotis sp.___CyanotisJan SepMinor--

Cucurbitaceae

Citrullus lanatus Linn.TarbujWater melonFeb MayMediumMedium

Cucumis melo Linn.KarbuzMusk melonApr JunMinorMinor

Cucumis sativus Linn.SashaKakadiFeb SepMediumMinor

Cucurbita maxima DuchesneMitha kumrahPumkinFeb SepMediumMinor

Luffa acutangula Roxb.JhingaRibbed guardApr-AugMinorMinor

Luffa cylendrica MJRoem.DhundulCylendrical guardMay-JulMinorMinor

Momordica charantia Linn.KarolaBitter GuardMar OctMinorMinor

Sechium edulis Sw.SquashChow-chowMar MayMediumMinor

Trichosanthes dioca Roxb.PatolPointed gourdFeb OctMinor ----

Cyperaceae

Cyperus rotundus Linn.MuthaNut grassNov FebMinor---

Dilleniaceae

Dillenia indica Linn.ChaltaDilleniaJun JulMajorMinor

Elaeocarpaceae

Elaeocarpus lanceolatus Roxb.Bhatrachhe---Dec-JanMinorMedium

Elaeocarpus sikkimensisBhatrachhe---Dec-JanMinorMedium


Ericaceae

Rhododendron sp.GuraasRhododendronApr-MayMediumMedium

Euphorbiaceae

Croton bonplandianum Bail.Jatalanka---Jun SepMinor--

Emblica officinale Gaertn.AamlokiAmlaApr MayMinorMedium

Euphorbia hirta Linn.BarokheruiDhudiMinor

Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd.Poinsettia / Lal PalaNov DecMinorMinor

Macaranga pustulata King.Mallata----Jul-AugMinorMinor

Ostodes paniculata Bl.Beparee---Mar AprMinorMedium

Fabaceae

Butea monosperma TaubPhalasFlame of the forestFeb-MarMajor---

Cajanas cajan Millsp.AraharPigeon peaJan MarMediumMedium

Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.SisuRose woodFeb MarMinorMinor

Dolichos lablab Savi.ShimBeansNov MarMinorMinor

Erythrina indica Lamk.PalitaCoral treeMar AprMinorMinor

Lathyrus sativus Linn,KhesariGrass peaJan-FebMinorMedium

Phaseolus aureus Roxb.SonamungGreen gramFeb MayMinorMinor

Phaseolus mungo Linn.MaskalaiBlack gramFeb MarMinorMinor

Pisum sativum Linn.MatorPeasJan MarMinorMinor

Pongamia pinnata PierreKaranjaIndian Beech treeFeb MarMinorMinor

Sesbania grandiflora Linn.DhancheAgathiJul AugMediumMinor

Trigonella corniculata LinnPiring BanmethiKasuri-MethiMar AprMinorMinor

Fagaceae

Castanopsis indica A. DC.CatusIndian ChestnutMay-JunMinorMinor


Lamiaceae

Leonurus ibiricus Linn.Rakta dronMother wortOct-JanMinorMinor

Leucas aspera SprengSheta dronGummaAug-OctMinorMinor

Leucas linifolia SprengHalkasaGummaMar- AprMinor--

Moschosma monospermaBaldingra--Apr May Oct Nov----Minor

Ocimum basilicum Linn.Babu TulsiSweet basilJuly OctMinorMinor

Ocimum gratissimum Linn.Ram TulsiShrubby basilAug OctMinorMinor

Ocimum sanctum Linn.Kalo TulsiHoly basilJul OctMinorMinor

Lauraceae

Lindera neesiana Benth.Siltimur--Nov-JanMinorMedium

Litsea Sp.Sitambur--Mar-May, Nov-JanMinorMedium

Machilus edulis King.Lapche kawala--Nov DecMinorMedium

Liliaceae

Allium cepa Linn.PianjOnionFeb MarMinorMinor

Allium sativum Linn.RasumGarlicDec MarMinorMinor

Linaceae

Linum usitatisimum Lin.TisiLinseddsJan-FebMinorMinor

Loranthaceae

Loranthus longiflorus Desr.PargacchaApr-MayMinor---

Lythaceae

Lagerstroemia speciosa PersJarulApr-MayMinorMinor

Punica granatum Linn.DalimPomogranateMar AprMinor--

Malvaceae

Sida cordifolia Linn.BerelaCountry MallowMay-AugMinor--


Sida rhombifolia Linn.Lal berela---May-AugMinor--

Meliaceae

Azadiracta indica A. JussNeemNeemApr MayMinorMinor

Swetenia mahagoni Jacq.MehagoniMahagoniApril MayMinorMinor

Melisomaceae

Melisoma simplicifolia wall.Chiuri---Nov-JanMediumMinor

Mimosaceae

Acacia nilotica (L.) DelileBabulAcaciaApr JulMediumMinor

Acacia auriculaeiformis A. Cunn.AakashmoniAkasiDec JanMediumMinor

Albizia lebbeck Benth.SirishSiris treeMay JunMinorMedium

Leucaena Lucocephola Dc witSubaboolMar AprilMinor--

Moringaceae

Moringa oleifera Lamk.SajinaDrum stickJan FebMediumMedium

Musaceae

Musa aradisiacal Linn.Kancha KalaBananaJan-Dec__Minor

Musa sapientum LinnKalaBananaJan-Dec__Minor

Myrsinaceae

Aegiceras corniculatum Blanco.KhalishHalsiFeb AprMinorMinor

Myrtaceae

Eugenia Formosa wallAmbake--Oct-NovMajorMinor

Syzium cumini SkellsKalojaamJamunMar AprMajorMajor

Eucalyptus sp.Euca;yptus EucalyptusSep OctMinorMajor

Psidium guajava LinnPeyaraGuavaMar MayMinorMinor

Syzygium jambos AlstonGolab JaamRose appleDec FebMinorMinor

Syzygium malaccensis Merril & PerryJamroolMalay appleNov FebMinor Minor

Nelumbaceae

Nelumbo speciosum Willd.PadmaLotusMay SepMinorMinor


Nyctaginaceae

Marabilis jalapa Linn.Krishnakali4 O ClockMay SepMinor---

Oleaceae

Olea europea LinJalpaiOlive treeJun JulMediumMedium

Oxalidaceae

Averrhoa carambola Linn.KamrangaThree SorrelJun Jul__Minor

Papevaraceae

Argemone mexicana Linn.ShealkantaMexican poppyFeb MayMinorMinor

Pedaliaceae

Seamum indicum Linn.TilGingiliMay JunMajorMajor

Martynia anuua Linn.Bagh nakhiTiger clawJun-AugMinor---

Poaceae

Andropogon ascinoidis C.B.ClarkeChor KantaCattle grassJul SepMinor---

Bambusa arundinaceae Willd.BanshBambooFeb MarMajor---

Cynodon dactilon PersDurbaGhassDhub grassMay JulMinor--

Dendrocalamus strictus NeesKarti MulibanashSolid BambooJan-MarMajor--

Oryza sativa Linn.DhanPaddySep Oct Apr MayMinor--

Sorghum vulgare Linn.JowarPearl milletMay- JunMedium--

Poligonaceae

Antigonon leptopus Hk. & Arn.Coral creeperMay Sep__Medium

Pontederiaceae

Eichhornia crassipes SalmsKochuripanaWater HyacinthJun SepMinor

Ranunculaceae

Nigella sativa Linn.KalojiraBlack cuminFeb MarMinorMajor


Rhaminaceae

Zizyphus jujuba Mill.KoolJujubeSep OctP MinorMajor

Rizophoraceae

Ceriops roxburghiana Arn.Garan---Apr May __Medium

Ceriops tagal C.B. Robins.Mot Garan---Apr May__Medium

Rosaceae

Prunus armeniaca LinnArucha

(Nepali Lang)PearMar MayMediumMedium

Prunus nepalensis Steud.Aru

(Nepali Lang)Alu peachMar MayMediumMedium

Prunus cuminis Linn.Naspathi

(Nepali Lang)PeachFeb-MarMinorMinor

Rosa centifolia Linn.GolapProvence roseNov MarMinorMinor

Rubiaceae

Anthocephalus cadamba Miq.KadamKadambaJul AugMinorMinor

Rutaceae

Aegle marmelos Correa.BelBael treeApr mayMinorMinor

Citrus aurantifolia SwingleBatabi LabuLemonMar AprMediumMinor

Citrus medica Linn.Lebu, NebuMaltaFeb MarMediumMinor

Citrus sinensis Osbeckkamala LebuOrangeMar AprMediumMajor

Evodia fraxinifolia Hook f.Kanukpa---Nov- JanMinorMinor

Glycosmis pentaphylla DCAsh ShaorahWild nimbuSep OctMinorMedium

Limonia accidissima Linn.Kaith BelWood appleApr-MayMedium Minor

Murraya paniculata JackKaminiChina boxJul AugMinorMinor

Murraya koenigii SprengBarsunga, karipataCurry leavesMar AprMinorMinor

Sapindaceae

Euphoria longan Steud.AanshaphalLonganFeb MarMinorMedium


Nephelium litchi CambessLitchuLitchiFeb MarMinorMinor

Sapindus sp.Ankar--Apr-MayMinorMinor

Schleichera oleosa OkenKusumLac treeFeb-MarMinorMedium

Sapotaceae

Madhuca indica J.F. GmelMahuaButter treeMar-AprMinorMinor

Mimusops elengi Linn.BakulBakulaMay Jul---Minor

Scrophulariaceae

Scoparia dulcis Linn.Ban DhoneySweet broom weedAug OctMinorMinor

Solanaceae

Capsicum annuum Linn.LankaMirchiDec mayMinor--

Datura inoxia Mill.Kalo DhuturaThorn appleSep FebMinor--

Datura metal Linn.DhutaraThorn appleSep FebMinor--

Solanum melongena Linn.BegunBrigjalSep MarMinor--

Sonneratiaceae

Sonneratia apetala Buch-HamKeora----Mar MayMinorMajor

Symplocas

Symplocas sp.KharaniLodhraApr-MayMediumMedium

Theaceae

Schina wallichii Korth.ChilouniNeedle woodApr-MayMinorMedium

Tiliaceae

Grewia asiatica Mast.Phalsa----Mar AprMinorMinor

Typhaceae

Typha lephantine Roxb.HoglaElephant grassAug Sep Major---

Verbinaceae

Clerodendrum inreme Gaertn.Ghentu Bhant---Feb AprMinorMedium


Duranta repens Linn.Hedge PlantDurentaJan - AugMinorMinor

Gmelina arborea LinnGumariGumharMar - AprMinorMinor

Vitex negundo Linn.NishindaHemp treeApr - JunMinorMinor

Zinziberaceae

Ammomum sp.Bara elaichi--Mar-MayMedium----

Floral Calendar of South 24 Paraganas District

Botanical Name JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Cocos nucifera

(Coconut)

Brassica sp.

(Mustard)

Syzygium malaccensis

Coriandrum sativum (Dhania)

Phoenix spp.

Wild Khajur)

Amaranthus sp.

Prickly amaranth)

Aegiceras corniculatum

Nephelium litchi

(Litchi)

Spondias pinnata

Hog-plum)

Sonneratia apetala

Syzygium cumini

(Jamun)

Luffa sp.

Cyllendrical guard)

Acacia nilotica

(Babul)

Ceropsis sp.

Andropogan ascinoidis (Grass)

Anthicephalus kadamba(Kadamba)

Commelina bengalensis (Kanna)

Scoperia dulcis

(Weed)

Nectar: Minor

Medium

Major

Pollen: Minor

Medium

Major

PAGE 2

bee flora of westbengal

Documents