Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 19
Research Article
Identification and characterization of honeybee flora in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia
Tesfa Mossie
1*
and Hayat Worku
1
1
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Jimma, Ethiopia
Corresponding author: mtesfa6@gmail.com
Received: November 30, 2022; Received in revised form: April 12, 2023; Accepted: May 3, 2023
Abstract: Due to the existence of diverse floral resources and favorable ecological conditions, Ethiopia is still one
of the top ten natural honey producers worldwide. The study was conducted to identify and characterize the
phenology and pollen potential of major bee forages in the various Agro-ecological conditions of Jimma zone. A
total of 90 beekeepers were purposefully selected from three districts and interviewed using semi-structured
questionnaire. The density and abundance of flowering plants were determined using sixty main quadrant sampling
techniques. In addition, sixty-six pollen specimens were collected for one year using pollen traps at seven-day
intervals and were also traced back to plant species level under a light microscope. The diversity of the bee flora
was determined using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index. Based on survey, pollen load collection, and plant
inventory data, the study has revealed the presence of 141 pollen and/or nectar-source honeybee plant species
belonging to 62 families in the study area. Herbs were the most dominant bee flora growth forms, accounting for 62
(44%) of a total of 141 honeybee plant species, followed by trees at 48 (34%) and shrubs at 31 (22%), respectively.
Herbaceous plant had a greater density value of plant species per plot than did trees and shrubs. The families with
the highest number of species were Fabaceae 18 (12.8%), Asteraceae 11(7.8%), Poaceae 9(6.4%), Solanaceae 6
(4.3%), Acanthaceae 4 (2.8%), and Euphorbiaceae 4 (2.8%) in the study area. One hundred fifteen (81.6%) bee
forage species were both sources of pollen and nectar, whereas fifteen (10.6%) were pollen sources and the
remaining eleven (7.8%) were nectar source plant species. The Shannon diversity index and evenness were found to
be 2.8 and 0.6, respectively. This indicated that the study area has a rich bee floral plant species and is suitable for
beekeeping. The midland Agro-ecology relatively has the highest species diversity, richness and evenness compared
to the highland and lowland Agro-ecologies. Two main flowering periods of honeybee plants were followed by two
honey flow season. Therefore, beekeepers should follow floral calendar of honeybee plants to exploit the potential of
the area for honey production.
Keywords: Agro-ecology, flora resources, floral calendar, flowering period
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
1. Introduction
Apiculture is a livestock industry that contributes
significantly to the national and international
economies of a country, mainly in Africa. Ethiopia is
still one of the top ten natural honey producers
worldwide due to the existence of diverse floral
resources and favorable ecological conditions (Fitchl
and Admassu, 1994; Gidey and Mekonen, 2010;
Bareke and Addi, 2020). It directly and indirectly
contributes to household income and the national
economy (Fenet and Alemayehu, 2016). The
production of honey, beeswax, pollen, royal jelly, and
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 20
other by-products is the direct income source for the
users. Contributing to plant pollination and the
conservation of the natural environment is the
indirect role of honey bee production. Honeybees and
plants have had a strong relationship for over 50
million years (FAO, 1986). Beekeeping conserves
natural resources and protects the global
environment. It can be integrated with agricultural
practices like crop production, horticulture crops, and
conservation of natural resources (Gezahegn, 2001;
Bareke and Addi, 2020). Honey bees require feed for
their production and reproduction like other livestock
species. It depends on flowering plants for their
nutrition and protection. About 40, 000 plant species
are used as honeybee forage across the world (Crane,
1990). Among the flowering plants found in Ethiopia,
500 species are rich in nectar and pollen (Fichtl and
Admasu, 1994). Plants are classified as nectar or
pollen source plants based on the honeybee's activity
of extending their proboscis and hind legs into
flowers, respectively (Wubie et al., 2014; Jenberie et
al., 2016; Pande and Gi, 2018). Honeybees' main
food sources are pollen and nectar. Nectar is a major
component in the production of honey, whereas
pollen is used as larval food, which is important in
colony reproduction (Facade and Paul, 2006).
Ethiopia has abundant natural and cultivated flora as
well as diverse agro-ecological and climatic
conditions that are ideal for beekeeping. The
presence of a large number of honey plants is
important for the country's honeybee colonies,
production, and productivity. The botanical
composition of natural vegetation differs depending
on the Agro-ecology, climate, and soil type
(Gebretsadik, 2016). The type and quantity of flora
present determines productivity and reproduction
performance of honeybees (Amssalu, 2007). Oromia
is one of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia's regional
states that is rich in natural resources and has
favorable climatic conditions for improved
beekeeping development. The region has virgin
forests with a high biodiversity, such as Harena,
Yayu, Dindin, Anfarara, Munessa, Jibat, Chilimo,
and Menagesha-Suba that are ideal for beekeeping.
The region also contains cultivated crops such as oil
and horticultural crops, as well as pulses, all of which
can help to further the development of beekeeping.
These make the region one of the potential areas for
honeybee production.
Despite the region's diverse Agro-ecological, climatic
conditions, abundance of natural and cultivated flora,
beekeepers lack a floral calendar for honeybee
foraging and honey production. Flora calendar is a
timetable that indicates the approximate duration of
the flowering period, abundance, distribution, and
honey potential of honeybee forages in various Agro-
ecological zones of the country (Admasu et al., 2004;
Amssalu, 2004). Identification and documentation of
bee forages and their flowering calendar is critical for
the sub-sector's development endeavors since the
flowering periods of honeybee plants differ
depending on the diversity of plant habits and
environmental conditions (Tilahun, 2003). Therefore,
establishing a floral calendar is a critical tool for
planning various beekeeping management operations,
such as hive super adding, and predicting the
frequency and period of honey flow in a given area.
The length of flowering period, nectar and pollen
production, and honeybee plant availability in a
specific area are all determined by agro-ecology and
season. Therefore, assessing the different Agro-
ecological zones for determining the availability of
bee forage, their life forms and establishing a
flowering calendar of honey plants that enable
effective seasonal colony management is paramount
important. Furthermore, for optimal honey
production, beekeepers should be aware of the
flowering seasons of both main and minor nectar and
pollen sources of plants in the vicinity of their apiary
site (Pearson and Braiden, 1990). The study's
overarching goal was to characterize and document
major bee forages contributing to honey production,
as well as to develop an appropriate flora calendar for
effective bee management in various Agro-ecological
conditions of the Jimma zone.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Description of the study area
The study was conducted in beekeeping potential
areas of the Jimma zone of Oromia regional state,
which geographically lies at a latitude of about
7013’-8 056'N and a longitude of about 35052'-
37037'E. The area has high humidity and is rich in
fauna and flora biodiversity. Three study districts
(Goma, Gera, and Shebe Sombo) were selected based
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 21
on ecological differences and beekeeping potential.
Agro-ecological representation is used to exploit bee
flora species in different ecologies in the study area.
2.2. Honeybee flora inventory
Three kebeles were selected from each district
depending on their Agro-ecological variation and
potential for beekeeping activities. Household
beekeepers were selected based on their experience in
beekeeping and after discussion with district experts.
A total of ninety (90) beekeepers, thirty (30) from
each district, were also purposefully selected to get
sound information on honey source plant lists,
flowering periods, duration, beekeeping experience,
number of colonies, number of harvest per year and
presence of poisonous plants. Semi-structured
questionnaires were used to collect the primary data
from respondents. A group discussion with experts,
community groups, development agents, and farmer
beekeepers was held to generate relevant information.
Necessary and supportive data on plant nature and
habitats, feeding resources, and plant phenology were
collected following field observation. During data
collection, the types of honeybee forage, honey flow
season, plants with adverse effects, swarming
seasons, and management practices were all
considered.
2.3. Pollen sample collection and laboratory
analysis
The total of 18 honeybee colonies was established in
nine different locations across three districts of the
study area in different Agro-ecologies. At each site,
two honeybee colonies were established for pollen
trapping and pollen sample collection. Honeybee
colonies were fitted with pollen traps and loads to
collect dislodge pollen pellet samples at seven-day
intervals. In one year, a total of 66 pollen specimens
were collected and used to determine the botanical
origin of honeybee pollen. The fresh and dry weight
of pollen pellets was recorded. The collected pollen
was dried at room temperature, and the fresh and dry
pollen pellets were weighed and sorted by color.
Each sorted pollen samples were identified at generic
and species level under light microscope following
diluting with ether solution. Using prepared pollen
reference materials, reference books, pollen atlases,
plant species were identified from each type of pollen
by comparing the shape, size, and apertures of the
pollen. Pollens that we couldn't identify botanically
using either analysis technique have been labeled as
"unidentified".
2.4. Honeybee flora species composition and
diversity
Assessment of plant species composition and
diversity were performed in purposively selected
districts based on the beekeeping potential. For
vegetation analysis using quadrant sampling
techniques, two representative kebeles were chosen
from each district based on vegetation coverage and
ecological difference. The diversity and composition
of honeybee plants were determined according to
Tesfaye et al. (2013) plant density determination
method. The quadrant/plot size varied depending on
vegetation types. Honeybee plants were classified as
trees, shrubs, and herbaceous. Tree and shrub
sampling plots were 20m × 20m in size, whereas
herbaceous plant sampling plots were 2m x 2m in a
two-kilometer radius every 0.1km from the hive to
estimate the frequency and density of bee plants.
The main plots were laid out systematically
considering the availability of vegetation coverage,
and then small quadrants of 2m x 2m plots were laid
out at different sites of the main plots to understand
the forgeable area of honey plants. A total of 60 plots
were taken for the districts, representing different
Agro-ecologies. Then plant species within quadrants
were counted for the assessment of plant density and
frequency at specific sampling sites. Honeybee flora
species abundance was defined and computed in all
quadrants, and density was calculated in hectares.
Plant specimens were collected during flowering
seasons with necessary botanical features like leaves,
flowers and portion of stem. The collected specimens
were pressed, identified and then compared to the
published report at the Holeta Bee Research Center.
2.5. Richness and diversity of bee forage plants
The Shannon–wiener diversity index, species
richness, and Shannon's evenness were used to
determine the diversity of bee forage plant species.
The Shannon-Wiener diversity index is the most
widely used for non-sample-size-dependent measure
of species diversity (Ramirez-Arriaga et al., 2011).
    [1]
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 22
Where, H' is Shannon index, pi is proportion of
individual species and ln is log base n.



=


[2]
Where, H' is Shannon diversity index, H'max = lns
where S is the number of species, ln = log basen. The
value of evenness is found between zeros to one
(Kent and Coker, 1992).
2.6. Statistical analysis
Data on bee flora species, abundance, frequency,
diversity, and pollen count were summarized using
descriptive statistics. The data was thoroughly
examined using Microsoft Excel and the Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Major honeybee plant species identified by
beekeepers
A total of 39 pollen and/or nectar source plant species
belonging to 23 families were identified during the
survey work (Table 1). The species of bee plants
reported by beekeepers through survey were more or
less comparable to those found by plant inventory
and pollen analysis. This has demonstrated that
beekeepers' indigenous knowledge is significant for
bee plant inventory results.
The most frequently reported bee floral species by
beekeepers were Vernonia spp, Coffea arabica,
Croton macrostachyus, and Guizotia scabra with 90
(100%), 83 (92.2%), 77 (85.6%) and 73 (81%) rate,
respectively. The most bee floral plant species has
been known as the best indicators of adaptation to the
area and climatic condition (Wubie et al., 2014).
However, no single bee floral plant species has been
identified by beekeeper respondents in the midland.
This demonstrated that the midland has an
overlapping bee flora plant species or vegetation
distribution.
Bee floral plant species were classified as herbs,
shrubs and trees and wild and cultivated based on
growth forms and source of bee plants. According to
beekeeper respondents, trees (62.5%) were the most
important source of bee forages, followed by herbs
(25%) and shrubs (12.5%). This finding is consistent
with the findings of Kebede and Gebrechirstos (2016)
and Haftom et al. (2013) in Tigray, who found trees
to be a major source of feed for honeybees. The
current survey findings, however, contradict to the
findings of Teklay (2011), who reported that herbs
are the most common floral plant species. These
variations might link with the changes in
geographical location, soil type and climatic
situation.
The foremost sources of honeybee forages were wild
116 (82.3%) and cultivated 25 (17.7%). These
findings indicated that majority of bee floral plant
species were found in wild sources since beekeepers
had no practices to cultivate bee floral plant species.
Honeybee plant species reported by beekeepers
during the survey were categorized as very good,
good, and poor based on their abundance in the study
area (Table 1). Most of the bee floral species
identified through the survey were categorized as
good in their abundance.
Coffea arabica, Croton macrostachyus, Vernonia
Spp., Guizotia scabra, Eucalyptus camaldlensis,
Coffea arabica Cordia africana, Mangifera indica,
and Combretum molle were the most common
honeybee plant species identified by beekeepers in
different agro-ecologies (Table 1). The dominant
honeybee plant species in the highland were
Vernonia Spp., Schefflera abyssinica, Croton
macrostachyus, Coffea arabica, and Bidens spp.,
while the most frequently visited bee floral species in
lowland ecology were Cordia africana, Guizotia
scabra, Combretum molle, Eucalyptus camaldlensis,
Bidens spp., and Coffea arabica. On the other hand,
Guizotia scabra, Vernonia Spp., Coffea arabica,
Croton macrostachyus, and Bidens spp., were the
most abundant floral plant species in midland agro-
ecology based on survey results. Vernonia Spp.,
Cordia africana, and Guizotia scabra were the most
abundant plant species in the highland, midland, and
lowland, respectively. Frequently indicated bee floral
species by beekeepers were Vernonia spp., Coffea
arabica, Croton macrostachyus, and Guizotia scabra
with 90 (100%), 83 (92.2%), 77 (85.6%) and
73(81%) rate, respectively. The most widely
distributed bee flora species in all agro-ecology is
Vernonia spp., Schefflera abyssinica and Combretum
molle.
About 69.9% of beekeepers harvested honey yields
twice a year, while 17.8% of beekeepers harvested
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 23
honey yields three times in different agro-ecologies
of the study area. This result is consistent with the
study done by Shegaw and Giorgis (2021), who
found that there are two main harvesting seasons.
Honeybee plants are present at different periods of
the year because plant flowering times vary
depending on species, topography, climate and
farming practices (Rijal et al., 2018). The average
honey yields of frame hives in highland, lowland, and
midland were 25.3, 23.3, and 30.2 kg respectively.
The major honey flow seasons in the study are
October to December, February to April, and May to
June (Figure 1). The maximum and minimum
flowering duration of bee plant species were ninety
and seven days, respectively. Croton macrostachyus,
Vernonia spp., Eucalyptus camaldlensis, Guizotia
scabra, and Trifolium spp. had the longest flowering
periods and offered a steady supply of nectar and
pollen to honeybees on the hunt. Bareke and Addi
(2019) and Zeleke et al. (2019) conducted
comparable studies in the Gera forests and selected
parts of South Nations Nationalities and Peoples of
Ethiopia, respectively. On the other hand, according
to beekeepers respondents, the study areas dearth
periods were August, July, and January. Shegaw and
Giorgis (2021) conducted similar study in selected
areas of the Southern Nations Nationalities and
Peoples of Ethiopia. A drought period can cause the
depletion of stored food inside the hive, which has a
negative impact on honeybee productivity. Therefore,
beekeepers should know the dynamics of honeybee
colonies in accordance with bee floras, flowering
periods and duration of flowering times in different
Agro-ecologies. Almost all beekeepers in the study
area were familiar with the honeybee colony
dynamics conditions. This findings agrees with the
study conducted by Lemessa (2006), Fichtl and
Admassu (1994) and Teklay (2011) in colony
dynamics conditions. Beekeepers were identified as
bee flora depending upon the intensity of flowers
visited by honeybees. The knowledge gained in
identifying bee flora assists beekeepers in
recognizing the honey harvesting season and
managing the beehives. The identification of flora
calendar assists beekeepers in planning various
beekeeping activities (Genet, 2002).
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 24
Figure 1: Honey flow month in different agro-ecologies
Table 1: Major honeybee plants identified by beekeepers
Local
name
Scientific name
Family name
Species
abundanc
e
Life
forms
Food source
Duratio
n (days)
Buna
Coffea arabica
Rubiaceae
2
Shru
b
Pollen/
Nectar
60
Bisana
Croton macrostachyus
Euphorbiaceae
2
Tree
Pollen/
Nectar
90
Girawa
Vernonia Spp.
Asteraceae
1
Tree
Nectar
90
Tufo
Guizotia scabra
Asteraceae
2
herb
Pollen/
Nectar
90
Bahrzaf
Eucalyptus
camaldlensis
Myrtaceae
3
Tree
Pollen/
Nectar
90
Wanza
Cordia africana
Boraginaceae
2
Tree
Pollen/
Nectar
60
Abalo
Brucea antidysenteric
a Fresen.
Simaroubacea
e
3
Tree
Pollen/
Nectar
15
Avocado
Persea americana
Lauraceae
2
Tree
Pollen
90
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Apr Dec Feb Jan Jul Jun Mar May Nov Oct Sep
highland lowland mindland
Frequency
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 25
Mango
Mangifera indica
Anacardiacea
e
3
Tree
Pollen/
Nectar
60
Tensa
Combretum molle
Combretaceae
1
Tree
Nectar
60
Boqolo
Zea mays
Poaceae
2
herb
Pollen
60
Adeye
ababa
Bidens spp.
Asteraceae
1
herb
Pollen
60
Girar
Acacia spp.
Fabaceae
2
Tree
Pollen/nectar
60
Geteme
Schefflera abyssinica
Araliaceae
1
Tree
Pollen/nectar
60
Kerero
Aningeria altissima
Sapotaceae
2
Tree
Nectar
60
Turba
abeba
Brugmansia
suaveolens
Solanaceae
3
Shru
b
Pollen/nectar
60
Siddessa
Trifolium spp.
Fabaceae
3
Herb
Pollen/nectar
90
Rejii
Vernonia rueppellii
sch.
Asteraceae
2
Shru
b
Pollen/
nectar
60
Sesbania
Esbania sesban
Fabaceae
2
Shru
b
Pollen
15
Sesa
Albizia gummifera
Fabaceae
2
Tree
Pollen
/nectar
30
Wandabiy
o
Apodytes dimidiate
Icacinaceae
2
Tree
Pollen/nectar
30
Bayya
Olea welwitschi
Oleaceae
2
Tree
Pollen/nectar
60
Keryo
Polyscias fulva
Araliaceae
2
Tree
Pollen/nectar
30
Mashila
Sorghum bicolor
Poaceae
2
Herb
Pollen
30
Kenchib
Euphorbia tirucalli
Euphorbiaceae
3
Herb
Nectar
60
Nuge
Guizotia abyssinica
Asteraceae
3
Herb
Pollen/Necta
r
30
Sio
Rhus sp.
Anacardiaceae
2
Tree
Pollen/nectar
60
Sombo
Ekebergia capensis
(E. rueppeliana
Maliaceae
3
Tree
Pollen
/nectar
30
Zytune
Psidium guajava
Myrtaceae
3
Tree
Pollen/nectar
7
Giravilla
Grevillea robusta
Proteaceae
2
Tree
Pollen
20
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 26
/nectar
Ruze
Oryza sativa
Poaceae
3
Herb
Pollen
30
Sesame
Sesamum indicum
Pedaliaceae
2
Herb
Pollen
/nectar
60
Sole
Olinia rochetiana
Penaeaceae
2
Tree
Pollen/nectar
60
Bedesa
Syzygium guineens
Myrtaceae
2
Tree
Pollen
/Nectar
Maget
Trifolium Spp.
Papilionaceae
2
Tree
Nectar
Korch
Erythrina abyssinica
Fabaceae
3
Shru
b
Pollen
/nectar
30
Zembaba
Phoenix reclinata
Arecaceae
3
Tree
Pollen
15
Derbata
Terminalia laxiflora
Combretaceae
3
Tree
Nectar
30
Seho
Allophylus abyssinicus
Sapindaceae
3
Tree
Pollen/nectar
60
3.2. Plants poison to honeybees
In fact, not all honey bee plants are equally important
in the lives and honey production of different bee
species. The most frequently identified poisonous
plant species in the study area, according to current
findings, was Euphorbia cotinifolia (Key abeba). The
result showed that 77.2% of beekeepers were aware
of the presence of poisonous plants for honeybees.
About 27.8% of the beekeepers have no awareness of
the availability of poisonous honeybee plants in their
surrounding areas. In the Kaffa zone of southwest
Ethiopia, similar findings were reported by Addi
(2018), as most of the beekeepers were aware of the
presence of poisonous plants for honeybees.
Euphorbia cotinifolia is a shrub that belongs to the
family Euphorbiaceae, which bears flowers at
different months of the year. This plant is easy to
adapt and propagate by cutting, and it also acts as a
living fence in the study area. It is mainly found in
highland and midland Agro-ecology. The major
flowering months of Euphorbia cotinifolia species
are September to November, February to April, and
May to June in the study areas.
3.3. Bee pollen analysis
Twenty-four honey bee plant species belonging to ten
families were identified from a total of sixty six (66)
pollen samples collected in different districts (Table
2). Guizotia abyssinica, Vernonia spp., coffea
arabica and eucalyptus spp. were the major pollen-
source for honeybees (Figure 2). On the other hand,
Bersama abyssinica, Olea afriicana, Syzygium
guineense (Willd.) DC and Syzyjium spp. were the
minor pollen sources for honeybees. The current
study found that the highest proportion of pollen
grains was collected in October (46.3%) and
November (14.6%). This is due to the fact that the
majority of plant species bloom following the long
rainy season (June to August). The lowest pollen
loads, on the other hand, were recorded in July and
August because rain impairs honeybees' ability to fly,
which in turn lowers their ability to collect pollen.
Low temperatures may also impede the growth and
flowering of bee plant species, which would reduce
pollen production and nectar secretion. The findings
are consistent with those of studies carried out in the
Kaffa Zone, Southeast Oromia Zone, and central
Ethiopia by Bareke and Addi (2020), Lemessa and
Addi (2009), respectively, in the collection of pollen
grains in October and November. Contrary to the
current findings, Wubie et al. (2014) reported that the
most pollen grains were collected during the main
rainy season. This might occur since the flowering
period differs with different agro-ecologies.
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 27
Figure 2: Major honeybee flora species identified through pollen analysis
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 28
Table 2: Bee plant species identified from pollen analysis and pollen harvesting period
Scientific/species name
Family name
Life forms
Source of food
Harvesting period
Guizotia abyssinica
Asteraceae
Herb
Pollen/nectar
Sep-Feb
Vernonia amygdalina
Asteraceae
Tree
Pollen/nectar
Jan-Feb, Apr
Coffea arabica
Rubiaceae
Shrub
Pollen/nectar
Jan-Apr, Oct-Nov
Euclyptus
Myrtaceae
Tree
Pollen/nectar
Dec-Jan, Oct-Nov
Bidens spp
Asteraceae
Herb
Pollen/nectar
Oct-Jan
Trifoluma spp
Fabaceae
Herb
Pollen/nectar
Oct, Dec-Jan
Parkinsonia aculeuta
Fabaceae
Tree
Pollen/nectar
Oct, Nov
Rubus spp
Rosaceae
Herb
Pollen/nectar
Oct, Dec-Jan
Schefflera abyssinica
Araliaceae
herb
Pollen/nectar
Oct, Jan
Grass spp
not id
Herb
Pollen/nectar
Oct
Plantago lanceolata
Plantaginaceae
Herb
Pollen
Mar
Olea africana
Oleaceae
Tree
Pollen/nectar
Feb
Bersama abyssinica
Francoaceae
Tree
Pollen/nectar
Oct
Brassica spp.
Brassicaceae
Herb
Pollen/nectar
Oct
Calesulpinia
Francoaceae
Herb
Pollen/nectar
Dec
Calesulpinia decaptal
Francoaceae
Shrub
Nectar
Dec
Combretum molle
Combretaceae
Tree
Nectar
Oct
Datura arborea
Solanaceae
Shrub
pollen
Dec
Syzygium guineense (Willd.)
DC
Myrtaceae
Tree
Pollen/nectar
Oct
Echoriopis spp
Cactaceae
-
pollen
Dec
Ejursaw spp
not id
-
pollen
Feb
Rubuytmaesolonceolata
not id
-
pollen
Mar
Syzyjium spp
Myrtacea
Tree
pollen
Oct
3.4. Honeybee flora species abundance and
density
Density and frequency of honeybee floral species
found in each quadrant have been summarized in
Table 3. During the plant inventory investigation, a
total of 98 honeybee plant species belonging to 47
families were identified from 60 main plots and
subplots (Table 3). These honeybee plant species
were classified as herbs, shrubs, and trees, depending
on growth forms of plants. Herbs were the most
frequently visited plant growth form, accounting for
49 (50%) of all visits, followed by trees at 26
(26.5%) and shrubs at 23 (23.5%) in sample plots.
The Fabaceae (31.9%), Asteraceae (19.1%) and
Poaceae (14.8%) families had the most honeybee
plant species encountered in quadrant samples. The
best predictor of adaptation to the area and local
conditions is thought to be the highest frequency of
bee plant species. Due to their climate preferences for
growth, Boraginaceae, Rubiaceae, Poaceae, and
Myrtaceae were the most prevalent families in
sample plots. Herbaceous plant species had a greater
density value of plant species per plot than did trees
and shrubs. This result is consistent with Wubie et al.
(2014) and Addi et al. (2004), who found that
herbaceous plant species had a higher density value
per plot than trees and shrubs.
The most common or top ten floral honeybee plant
species in highland sample plots/quadrants were
Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk, Coffea arabica,
Isoglossa species, Snowdenia polystachya (Fresen.)
Pilg, Pennisetum glaucum (Linn.) R Br, Desmodium
species, Tinospora cordifolia, Acanthus eminers
C.B Clarke, Eucalyptus camaldlensis and Cyclamen
purpurascens (Table 4). Cynoglossum lanceolatum
Forssk, Snowdenia polystachya (Fresen.) Pilg,
Bidens spp., Sorghum bicolor, Isoglossa spp., K.
pinnata, Erythrina abyssinica, Euphorbia
tirucalli, Vernonia auriculifera Hiern and
Lippia adoensis Hochst. ExWalp were the most
frequent honeybee plant species in lowland ecology
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 29
(Table 4) whereas Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk,
Eucalyptus camaldlensis, Colocasia esculenta,
Snowdenia polystachya (Fresen.) Pilg, K. pinnata,
Erica spp., Psidium guajava, Arum maculatum and
Guizotia scabra were the dominant honeybee plant
species in midland sample plots (Table 4).
Table 3: Honeybee plant species density and frequency in sample quadrants
Local name
Scientific name
Family
Plant
type
Plant
count
Plant
density
Plot
observed
Ambebesa/sesa
Albizia gummifera
Fabaceae
Tree
44
267
9
Arenchi
Pavonia urens
Malvaceae
Herb
89
8663
8
Bahrzaf
Eucalyptus camaldlensis
Myrtaceae
Tree
704
4689
8
Banana
Musa acuminate
Musaceae
Tree
82
2050
3
Bisana
Croton macrostachyus
Euphorbiaceae
Tree
34
174
12
Buna/Coffee
Coffea arabica
Rubiaceae
Shrub
1739
4329
30
Castor/gulo
Ricinus communis
Euphorbiaceae
Shrub
47
279
10
Demekese
Ocimum lamiifolium Hochst
Labiatae
Herb
16
4782
4
Dergu
Isoglossa species
Acanthaceae-N
Herb
464
69074
50
Emo
Colocasia esculenta
Araceae
Herb
352
1996
10
Girawa
Vernonia Spp.
Asteraceae
Tree
77
261
22
Girnche/chifrig
Sida schimperiana Hochst. ex A.
Rich.
Malvaceae
Herb
222
2500
19
Kello/adey
abeba
Bidens spp.
Asteraceae
Herb
497
37499
30
Metene
Cynoglossum lanceolatum Forssk.
Boraginaceae
Herb
2514
68281
110
Muja
Snowdenia polystachya (Fresen.)
Pilg
Poaceae
Herb
944
141250
31
Rejii
Vernonia auriculifera Hiern
Asteraceae
Shrub
133
762
13
Susbania
esbania sesban
Fabaceae
Shrub
72
679
9
Tufo
Guizotia scabra
Asteraceae
Herb
60
67944
25
Ulmaye/limich
Clausena anisata (Willd.) Benth
Rutaceae
Shrub
22
244
7
Abayi/qalawa
Maesallanceolataforssk
Myrsinaceae
Tree
14
200
4
Arebe duberti
Carduus schimperi Sch. Bip
Asteraceae
Herb
58
42916
7
Birbira
Millettia ferruginea
Fabaceae
Tree
7
113
3
Bosoke
Kalanchoe sp.
Crassulaceae
Herb
95
52000
9
Chat
K. pinnata
Crassulaceae
Shrub
320
4001
4
Cheda dima
Euphorbia tirucalli
Euphorbiaceae
Shrub
142
1354
5
Desmodium
Desmodium species
Fabaceae
Herb
209
29583
20
Endod
Phytolacca dodecandra
Phytolaccaceae
Herb
29
46250
5
Gomenzer
Brassica Carinta A.br.
Brassicaceae
Herb
15
37500
2
Haallaal
Urera hypselodenron (A.Rich) wedd
Urticaceae
Shrub
44
83750
4
Kontir
Caesalpinia decapetala
Fabaceae
Shrub
65
1116
4
Korch
Erythrina abyssinica
Fabaceae
Tree
143
1131
6
Mango
Mangifera indica L.
Anacardiaceae
Tree
2
50
2
Qortobi
Plantigo lanceolata L.
Plantaginaceae
Herb
42
31875
6
Sanaa maki
Senna didymobotrya (Fresen.) Irwin
Fabaceae
Shrub
8
200
2
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 30
and Barneby
Sindedo
Pennisetum thunbergii Kunth
Poaceae
Herb
18
45000
2
Sokoro
Acanthus eminers C.B Clarke
Acanthaceae
Herb
97
681
5
Ulaga
Ehretia cymosa Thonn.
Boraginaceae
Tree
5
58
4
Wanza
Cordia africana
Boraginaceae
Tree
17
148
9
Zeytuna
Psidium guajava
Myrtaceae
Tree
145
925
7
Adenguare
Phaseolus vulgaris L
Fabaceae
Herb
3
7500
1
Agam
Carissa spinarum
Apocynaceae
Shrub
4
100
1
Alenge
Arum maculatum
Araliaceae
Herb
121
302500
1
Allala
Allamanda spp.
Apocynaceae.
Herb
13
16250
2
Ananno
Periploca linearifolia Quart.-Dill.
and A. Rich.
Asclepiadaceae
Shrub
30
375
2
Apple
Malus pumila
Rosaceae
Shrub
2
50
1
Asangira
Datura stramonium L.
Solanaceae
Herb
9
11250
2
Askira
Millettia ferruginea (Hochst.) Bak
Fabaceae
Tree
15
63
6
Avocado
Persea Americana
Lauraceae
Tree
5
25
5
Baddessa/Doki
ma
Syzygium guineens
Myrtaceae
Tree
2
50
1
Besobila /kefo
Salvia nilotica/Ocimumbasilicum
Lamiaceae
Herb
6
15000
1
Boqqo
Bersma abyssinica
Melianthaceae
Tree
1
25
1
Bosoka
Eriobotrya japonica
Rosaceae
Tree
1
25
1
Butte
Ammocharis tinneana (Kotschy and
Peyr.) Milne-Redh. And Schweick
Amaryllidaceae
Herb
8
10000
2
Cassava
Euphorbiaceae
Manihot esculent
a
Shrub
124
1550
2
Cheka
Calpurnia aurea (Aiton) Benth
Fabaceae
Tree
4
100
1
Chibo
Vernonia leopoldi
Asteraceae
Shrub
18
450
1
Damisa
Centella asiatica
Apiaceae
Herb
7
17500
1
Dhumuga
Justicaschimperiana(Hochst.ex.Nee
s) T. Andres
Acanthaceae
Shrub
16
400
1
Potato
Solanum tuberosum
Solanaceae
Herb
20
16666
3
Dobbi/sama
Urtica simensis steud.
Urticaceae
Herb
34
42 500
2
Enselal
Foeniculum vulgare Mill/Anethum
graveolens L.
Apiaceae
Herb
2
5000
1
Enset
E. ventricosum
Musaceae
Shrub
33
413
2
Girar
Acacia spp.
Fabaceae
Tree
3
75
1
Gomera
Capparis tomentosa Lam.
Capparidaceae
Shrub
1
25
1
Guriyo
Tinospora cordifolia
Menispermaceae
Herb
141
88125
4
Harbu/shola
Ficus sur Forssk.
Moraceae
Tree
2
50
1
Hidda bofa
Momordica foetida (Ao) Schumach
Cucurbitaceae
Herb
1
25
1
Hiddaa lafaa
Dregea schimperi (Decne.) Bullock
Asclepiadaceae
Herb
8
6666
3
Hiddi
Solanum incanum L.
Solanaceae
Shrub
5
4166
3
Jajjab
Setaria megaphylla (Steud.) Th.
Dur. and Schinz.
Poaceae
Herb
26
32500
2
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 31
Karaba
Sida rhombifolia L.
Malvaceae
Herb
26
7222
9
Kase
Lippia adoensis Hochst. ex Walp
Verbenacae
Herb
86
107,500
2
Kishkishe
Senna septemtrionalis (Viv.) Irwin
and Barneby
Fabaceae
Herb
7
17500
1
Kunche
Chenopodium album
Amaranthaceae
Herb
21
17500
1
Kusaye
Lantana trifolia L.
Verbenaceae
Shrub
2
50
1
Lochisa
Bersama abyssinica
Melianthaceae
Herb
35
875
1
Mixoo/dido/di
du
Galiniera saxifrage (Hochst.)
Birdson
Rubiaceae
Shrub
2
50
1
Mulberry
Morus alba
Moraceae
Shrub
3
75
1
Nanaye
Pennisetum glaucum (Linn.) R Br
Poaceae
Herb
196
61 250
8
Pepper /berberi
Capsicum annuum L.
Solanaceae
Herb
18
4500
1
Qalawa/qaawa
a
Grewia mollis Juss
Tiliaceae
Tree
1
25
1
Qumudu
Nymphoides indica
Menyanthaceae
Herb
41
34166
2
Raafu
Kleinia grantii (Oliv. & Heiern)
Hook.f.
Asteraceae
Herb
17
21250
3
Ret/ Alovera
Aloe debrana Christian
(syn.A.berhana Reynolds)
Xanthorrhoeacea
e
Herb
17
42500
1
Rhodus
Chloris gayana
Poaceae
Herb
1
2500
1
Shajara
Cyclamen purpurascens
Primulaceae
Herb
80
33333
6
Shenkora
Saccharum officinarum L.
Poaceae
Shrub
6
150
1
Shultee
Rumex nepalensis
Polygonaceae
Herb
6
15000
1
Siddisa/wazma
Trifolium rueppellianum Fresen.
Fabaceae
Herb
39
97500
1
Siglu
Fagaropsis angolensis (Engl.) Dale
Rutaceae
Tree
6
150
1
Sorghum
Sorghum bicolor
Poaceae
Herb
135
1688
2
Suufi/suff
Carthamus tinctorius
Asteraceae
Herb
56
46666
3
Togo
Dieliptera acanthaceae C.B.el
Acanthaceae
Tree
10
25000
1
Tsid
Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl
Cupressaceae
Tree
40
1000
1
Uregessa
Clausena anisata Benth
Rutaceae
Tree
11
138
2
Vetch
Vicia sativa
Fabaceae
Herb
6
15000
1
Welensu
Erythrina brucei
Fabaceae
Tree
41
513
2
Yeriwo garo
Solanecio sp.
Asteraceae
Herb
1
25
1
Table 4: Honeybee plant species density and their frequency of occurrence
Scientific name
Family name
Highland
Lowland
Midland
Count
Density
Plot
Count
Density
Plot
Count
Density
Plot
Type
Vernonia Spp.
Asteraceae
48
100
12
10
42
6
19
119
4
T
Coffea arabica
Rubiaceae
425
1181
9
604
1373
11
710
1775
10
T
Croton
macrostachyus
Euphorbiaceae
20
84
6
1
25
1
13
65
5
T
Vernonia rueppellii
sch.
Asteraceae
27
135
5
92
5
14
167
3
S
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 32
Albizia gummifera
Fabaceae
8
67
3
1
25
1
35
175
5
T
Eucalyptus
camaldlensis
Myrtaceae
112
933
3
3
75
1
589
3681
4
T
Malus pumila
Rosaceae
2
50
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
S
Acacia spp.
Fabaceae
3
75
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
T
Acanthus eminers
C.B Clarke
Acanthaceae
93
581
4
-
-
-
4
100
1
H
Allamanda spp.
Apocynaceae.
-
-
-
13
16250
2
-
-
-
H
Aloe debrana Christi
an (syn.A.berhana
Reynolds)
Xanthorrhoeac
eae
-
-
-
-
-
-
17
42500
1
H
Ammocharis tinnean
a (Kotschy
and Peyr.) Milne-
Redh.and Schweick
Amaryllidaceae
8
10000
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
Arum maculatum
Araliaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
121
30250
1
H
Bersama abyssinica
Melianthaceae
36
900
2
-
-
35
875
1
T
Bidens spp.
Asteraceae
32
13333
6
407
56 527
18
58
24166
6
H
Brassica Carinta
A.br.
Brassicaceae
11
27500
1
--
-
-
4
10000
1
H
Caesalpinia
decapetala
Fabaceae
23
192
3
-
-
-
42
924
1
S
Calpurnia aurea
(Aiton) Benth
Fabaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
4
100
1
T
Capparis
tomentosa Lam.
Capparidaceae
-
-
-
1
25
1
-
-
-
S
Capsicum annuum L.
Solanaceae
-
-
--
-
-
-
18
4500
1
H
Carduus schimperi
Sch. Bip
Asteraceae
26
16250
4
-
-
-
32
26666
3
H
Carissa spinarum
Apocynaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
4
100
1
S
Carthamus tinctorius
Asteraceae
-
-
-
56
46666
3
-
-
-
H
Centella asiatica
Apiaceae
7
17500
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
Chenopodium album
Amaranthaceae
21
17500
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
Chloris gayana
Poaceae
1
2500
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
Clausena anisata
(Wild.) Benth.
Rutaceae
2
50
1
9
56
4
22
276
4
S
Colocasia esculenta
Araceae
-
-
-
54
675
2
286
1021
7
H
Cordia africana
Boraginaceae
-
-
-
8
67
3
5
31
4
T
Cyclamen
purpurascens
Primulaceae
80
33333
6
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
Cynoglossum lanceol
atum Forssk.
Boraginaceae
997
51, 927
48
643
53 583
30
874
68281
32
H
Datura stramonium
L.
Solanaceae
-
-
-
9
11250
2
-
-
-
H
Desmodiumspecies
Fabaceae
142
29583
12
-
-
-
104
21862
9
H
Dieliptera
acanthaceae C.B.el
Acanthaceae
-
-
-
10
25000
1
-
-
-
T
Dracaena
afromontana
Dracaenaceae
12
300
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
T
Dregea schimperi (D
ecne.) Bullock
Asclepiadaceae
8
6666
3
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
E. ventricosum
Musaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
33
413
2
S
Ehretia cymosa
Thonn.
Boraginaceae
4
33
3
1
25
1
-
-
-
T
Eluesine folicofolia
Poaceae
4
10000
1
H
Erica genus
Ericaceae
1
2500
1
-
-
-
166
69166
6
H
Eriobotrya japonica
Rosaceae
-
-
-
1
25
1
-
-
-
T
Erythrina abyssinica
Fabaceae
38
475
2
105
656
4
-
-
-
T
Erythrina brucei
Fabaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
41
513
2
T
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 33
esbania sesban
Fabaceae
28
116
6
1
25
1
43
538
2
S
Euphorbia tirucalli
Euphorbiaceae
41
512
2
101
842
3
-
-
-
S
Euphorbiaceae
Manihot esculent
a
-
-
-
-
-
-
124
1550
2
S
Fagaropsis
angolensis (Engl.)
Dale
Rutaceae
-
-
-
-
-
6
150
1
T
Ficus sur Forssk.
Moraceae
2
50
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
T
Foeniculum vulgare
Mill./Anethum
graveolens L.
Apiaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
5000
1
H
Galiniera saxifrage (
Hochst.) Birdson
Rubiaceae
2
50
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
S
Grewia mollis Juss
Tiliaceae
1
25
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
T
Guizotia scabra
Asteraceae
4
10000
1
56
28000
5
10 2
29944
19
H
Isoglossa species
Acanthaceae
266
24629
27
120
30000
10
78
15000
13
H
Juniperus procera
Hochst. ex Endl
Cupressaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
40
1000
1
T
Justicaschimperiana(
Hochst.ex.Nees)T.
Andres
Acanthaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
16
400
1
S
K. pinnata
Crassulaceae
-
-
-
109
1363
2
211
2638
2
S
Kalanchoe sp.
Crassulaceae
54
27000
5
41
25000
4
-
-
-
H
Kleinia grantii
Asteraceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
17
21250
2
H
Lantana trifolia
Verbenaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
50
1
S
Lippia adoensis Hoc
hst. Ex Walp
Verbenacae
-
-
-
86
107500
2
-
-
-
H
Maesallanceolatafor
ssk
Myrsinaceae
9
75
3
-
-
-
5
125
1
T
Mangifera indica
Anacardiaceae
-
-
-
1
25
1
1
25
1
T
Millettia ferruginea
(Hochst.) Bak
Fabaceae
5
63
2
15
63
6
2
50
1
T
Momordica foetida
(Ao) Schumach
Cucurbitaceae
-
-
-
1
25
1
-
-
-
T
Morus alba
Moraceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
75
1
S
Musa acuminata
Musaceae
32
800
1
13
325
1
-
-
-
T
Nymphoides indica
Menyanthaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
41
34166
3
H
Ocimum lamiifolium
Hochst
Labiatae
-
-
-
12
11325
3
4
100
1
H
Pavonia urens
Malvaceae
41
5625
4
1
2500
1
47
538
3
H
Pennisetum glaucum
(Linn.) R Br
Poaceae
196
61 250
8
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
Pennisetum
thunbergii Kunth
Poaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
14
35000
1
H
Periploca linearifolia
Quart. Dill. & A.
Rich.
Asclepiadaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
30
37875
2
S
Persea Americana
Lauraceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
25
5
T
Phaseolus vulgaris L
Fabaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
7500
1
H
Phytolacca
dodecandra
Phytolaccaceae
15
37500
1
14
8750
4
-
-
-
H
Plantigo lanceolata
L.
Plantaginaceae
-
-
-
9
11250
2
33
20625
4
H
Psidium guajava
Myrtaceae
-
-
-
9
75
3
136
850
4
T
Ricinus communis
Euphorbiaceae
4
50
2
6
75
2
37
154
6
S
Rumex nepalensis
Polygonaceae
6
15000
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
Saccharum
officinarum L.
Poaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
6
150
1
S
Salvia nilotica/Ocim
umbasilicum
Lamiaceae
-
-
-
-
-
6
15000
1
H
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 34
Senna
septemtrionalis (Viv.)
Irwin and Barneby
Fabaceae
-
-
-
7
17500
1
-
-
-
H
Senna didymobotrya
(Fresen.) Irwin and
Barneby
Fabaceae
6
150
1
2
50
1
-
-
-
S
Setaria megaphylla
(Steud.) Th. Dur. and
Schinz.
Poaceae
-
-
-
26
32500
2
-
-
-
H
Sida
schimperiana Hochst
. Ex A. Rich.
Malvaceae
-
-
-
55
11 458
12
-
-
-
H
Sida rhombifolia L.
Malvaceae
26
7222
9
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
Snowdenia
polystachya
(Fresen.) Pilg
Poaceae
200
5000
10
526
77 352
17
218
136250
4
H
Solanecio sp.
Asteraceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
1
25
1
H
Solanum incanum
Solanaceae
-
-
-
5
4166
3
-
-
-
H
Solanum tuberosum
Solanaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
20
16666
3
H
Sorghum bicolor
Poaceae
-
-
-
135
1688
2
-
-
-
H
Syzygium guineens
Myrtaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
2
50
1
T
Tinospora cordifolia
Menispermace
ae
141
88125
4
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
Trifolium rueppellian
um Fresen.
Fabaceae
-
-
-
39
97500
1
-
-
-
H
Urera hypselodenron
(A. Rich)
Urticaceae
1
25
1
11
138
2
-
-
S
Urtica simensis
steud.
Urticaceae
-
-
-
-
-
-
34
42500
2
H
Vernonia
auriculifera Hiern
Asteraceae
-
-
-
92
460
5
-
-
-
S
Vernonia leopoldi
Asteraceae
18
450
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
S
Vicia sativa
Fabaceae
6
15000
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
H
Note: T = Tree; S = Shrub; H = Herb; Density is per ha
3.5. Diversity and composition of honeybee forages
Herbs, trees, shrubs, and different species of grass are
among the plant growth forms that honeybees use as
forages. Herbs were the most dominant bee flora,
accounting for 62 (44%) of a total of 141 honeybee
plant species, followed by trees at 48 (34%) and
shrubs at 31 (22%), respectively (Figure 3). This
finding is consistent with previous findings, as herbs
are the most dominant bee flora plants in Kaffa Zone,
Gera district (Addi, 2018; Bareke and Addi, 2019;
Bareke and Addi, 2020), North Shewa zone of
Amhara region (Abebe and Temam, 2016), and
Tigray region (Teklay, 2011) The predominant of
herbs are due to disturbance and existence of gaps in
the forest (Bareke and Addi, 2019). The families with
the highest number of species were Fabaceae
18(12.8%), Asteraceae 11 (7.8%), Poaceae 9 (6.4%),
Solanaceae 6(4.3%), Acanthaceae 4(2.8%) and
Euphorbaceae 4 (2.8%) in the study area (Figure 4).
The Fabaceae and Asteraceae families have the
highest number of species. The study conducted in
the Gera forests also revealed that the Fabaceae
family had the dominant species composition,
followed by Asteracea, which is consistent with
current findings (Mulgeta et al., 2015). This study
was focused on the overall floristic composition of
Gera forest rather than identifying specific species of
honeybee flora.The present findings, on the other
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 35
hand, contradict previous reports, as Asteraceae
family has the highest species composition in Kaffa
Zone and Gera forests (Addi, 2018; Bareke and Addi,
2019; Bareke and Addi, 2020). Not all Fabaceae
species are plants that attract honeybees. As a result,
it is not a dominating honeybee plant family in
different study sites. However, the Asteraceae family
is the most common bee foraging family in many
forest areas (Bareke and Addi, 2020). The Asteraceae
family's dominance may be ascribed to the ability of
certain species to produce honey (Bareke and Addi,
2019).
Among a total of one hundred forty-one honeybee
plant species, one hundred fifteen (81.6%) were both
sources of pollen and nectar, whereas fifteen (10.6%)
were pollen sources and the remaining eleven (7.8%)
were nectar source plant species. Forage sources
(pollen/nectar) were confirmed with published and
pollen specimen accounts. The present study revealed
that bee plant species were the main source of both
pollen and nectar rather than a single source of nectar
or pollen. The findings also demonstrated that species
of pollen-producing plants are more numerous than
nectar-producing ones. This finding is aligned with
those reported by Bareke and Addi (2020). Nectar
and pollen are used for honey production and colony
multiplication, respectively. Not all honeybee plants
are similarly significant to bees and honey
production. Only 16% of flowering plants are the
origins of the majority of the honey in the world
(Crane, 1990). This shows that there are only a
handful of significant honey source plants in each
geographical area.
Figure 3: Growth forms of bee plant species
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Herb Shrub Tree
Percent Frequency
Percentage and frequency of honeybee plant
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 36
Figure 4: Number of species within each family
3.6. Species diversity, richness and evenness of
honeybee plant species
The Shannon diversity index analysis revealed that
the midland Agro-ecosystem had the most species
diversity in sample plots compared to the highland
and lowland Agro-ecosystem. The species diversity
in highland and lowland ecosystems was the same
(Table 5). The species richness varied by ecosystem.
Midland ecology had comparatively the most species
(59 species in 34 families), followed by highland (50
species in 29 families) and lowland (47 species in 26
families) ecologies. The midland Agro-ecology
moderately has the most species diversity, richness,
and evenness in sample plots compared to the
highland and lowland agro-ecologies. These findings,
however, contradicted the findings of Wubie et al.
(2014), who indicated that highland agro-ecology had
more species diversity and richness than midland and
lowland ecological systems. This variation could be
attributed to differences in the geographical location,
soil type, and climatic conditions of the study areas.
Nevertheless, this doesn't mean that areas with a
higher quantity of plant diversity are good for honey
production since the productivity of the beekeeping
sector is reliant on the abundance and density of
plants. The Shannon diversity index and evenness
were found to be 2.8 and 0.6, respectively. The
higher the evenness and Shannon index values, the
more even the species and the diversity in the
ecology or plots. The current finding further
supported the notion that the species diversity and
evenness in sample plots fell within acceptable
bounds of 1.5 and 3.5 (Kent and Coker, 1992).
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Plant family
No. of Species
Mossie, T. and Worku, H. J. Agri. Environ. Sci. 8(1), 2023
Publication of College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University 37
Table 5: Shannon diversity indices of honeybee plant species
Agro ecology
Richness
Shannon
H'max (lns)
Shannon Evenness =H’/lnS
Highland
50
2.7
3.9
0.6
Lowland
47
2.6
3.8
0.6
Midland
59
3
4.1
0.7
4. Conclusion and Recommendation
The study area has a diverse range of floral species,
which may aid in the production of honey for
national and international markets. A total 141 pollen
and/or nectar source honeybee plant species
belonging to sixty-two families were identified in the
study area. The Fabaceae and Asteraceae families
have the highest number of species. Herbaceous plant
species had a greater density value of plant species
per plot than did trees and shrubs. There are two main
flowering periods of bee plants and two main
harvesting periods in the study area. The
identification of bee plant species as well as their
floral calendar helps the beekeepers in planning
various beekeeping activities. Therefore, beekeepers
should follow a floral calendar of honeybee plants to
exploit the potential of the area for honey production.
Funding statement
This research received financial and material
supports from Ethiopian Institute of Agriculture
Research and Holeta Bee Research Center,
respectively.
Data availability statement
Data will be made available on request.
Declaration of interest’s statement
The authors declare no competing interests.
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