Predominant melliferous plants of the western Sudano Guinean zone of Cameroon

Abstract

Between September 2003 and March 2005, melissopalynological methods were used to access the predominant melliferous plants (PMP) in 104 honey samples collected from the Soudano Guinean highlands zone of west Cameroon. A total of 19 PMP from 11 families were identified, Asteraceae is the most represented. Trees and herbs were frequently exploited. Spontaneous PMP were more represented. Perennial PMP were highly visited by Apis mellifera adansonii. PMP with white colour flower are the most utilized by bees compared to other colours. When seasonal exploitation was considered, the proportion of PMP exploited in the rainy season was higher. Eucalyptus saligna, Terminalia mantaly and Pterocarpus soyauxii were frequently exploited.

Key words: Apis mellifera adansonii, melliferous plant, predominant, harvested.