Resource Melliferous-Polleniferous Role of Invasive Plants in Russia

Abstract

The resource melliferous-polleniferous potential of Russian invasive plant species was studied on the basis of the results of melissopalynological (pollen) analysis. The study of the pollen composition of 2121 honey samples from 70 Russian regions made it possible to diagnose the pollen of 26 invasive plants in their composition, 13 of which were resource plants. In the European part of Russia, important melliferous plants were Robinia pseudoacacia L., Gleditsia triacanthos L., Amorpha fruticosa L., Solidago canadensis L., and Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle. Monofloral honey types from these invasive species were obtained mainly in the southern regions. In Siberia, Centaurea scabiosa L., C. jacea L., Echium vulgare L., and Conium maculatum L. were of resource importance. Monofloral greater and brown knapweed, viper’s bugloss, and wild hemlock honey types were found mainly in the regions of Western Siberia. In the Far East, sources of monofloral honey were Nonea rossica Steven and Amoria hybrida (L.) C. Presl. The species Lupinus polyphyllus Lindll. and species of the genus Ambrosia were classified as important Russian polleniferous plants.