Categories
Wildflowers of Texas

Curlycup Gumweed (Grindelia Squarrosa)

A Short-Lived Perennial Curlycup Gumweed (Grindelia Squarrosa) pushes out of the ground near the end of July and comes in to bloom mid August.

by: Bee For Life Foundation

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Curlycup Gumweed (Grindelia Squarrosa)
Curlycup Gumweed (Grindelia Squarrosa)

Preferring dry, disturbed and overgrazed pastures, Curlycup gumweed will take advantage of barren and moist areas as well.

Forming pure stands in waste places, depleted rangelands along roadsides and railroad tracts. Thriving in drought conditions from seaside to 8,ooo feet in elevation.

Curlycup Gumweed (Grindelia Squarrosa)
Curlycup Gumweed (Grindelia Squarrosa)

Curlycup Gumweed is unpalatable to livestock due to the high amounts of tannins, resin and volatile oils. Yet, this weed / wildflower provides many benefits for both Humans and Insects.

Marking the start of our Fall nectar flow Curlycup Gumweed provides protein and carbohydrates which is needed by all bees to stay strong through Winter. Curlycup’s gummy resin is full of anti-microbial Turpenes used by Honey bees to create Propolis.

Curlycup Gumweed (Grindelia Squarrosa)
Curlycup Gumweed (Grindelia Squarrosa)

Human health benefits of Grindelia Squarrosa

Educational information, always consult your Doctor before using Gumweed!

American Indians would collect the leaves and flowering heads, these would be dried and made into a strong tea. This tea was used for many types of Lung problems.

Gumweed protects the Lungs and is an expectorant helping to clear the lungs of infections. It is also known the the medical community for it’s ability to relieve asthma while reducing swelling of the lungs.

Curlycup gumweed resin was also used to treat raw skin and saddle sores by Native American Indians.

Curlycup gumweed was known for it’s health benefits by early American settlers and is still being study by many Universities in North America.

Such a wonderful weed that can be used for health and healing by both Insect and Human. The next time you see it, get you some of the flower heads just in case COVID- 19 shows it’s ugly head.

Categories
Planting For Pollinators

Saving Bees With Vitex

It’s summer and Honey Bees are all over the trash cans, it’s dearth time in Texas. Saving Bees With Vitex, if planted enough, could keep bees out of trash cans.

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written by Bee For Life Foundation

Bee For Life Foundation gets hammered with calls about bees out of control . Honey Bees are swarming drink and shaved ice stands all across the State.

Dearth time (the time of the year when there are no blooms) is the middle of July to early September, a period when hardly any native plants are in bloom. Desperate for carbohydrates, the Honey Bees are attracted to any source, mostly dumpsters and trash cans.

Saving Bees With Vitex
Saving Bees With Vitex

But the Vitex Tree will fill that gap. I mean, just look at those alluring pollen and nectar rich Purple flowers. This tree is going to bee loaded. Lol

Vitex is not just for Honey Bees, this small tree provides nutrition for many other invertebrates. Bumblebees, Sweat Bees and a multitude of Butterflies, including Monarchs, also frequent this tree.

Saving Bees With Vitex
Saving Bees With Vitex

Vitex (Agnus-castus) is also known as Texas Lilac, Chaste Tree, Monk’s Berry, Monk’s pepper, Lilac Chaste Tree, Chaste Berry, Lavender Tree and Abraham’s Balm.

Family Lamiaceae and Order of Lamiales, Vitex is native to the Mediterranean region. It’s sub-tropical origin makes it a wonderful addition to Zones 6 through 9.

Saving Bees With Vitex
Saving Bees With Vitex

Vitex also has many health benefits, especially for Women’s health. Vitex Tree’s are definitely a great choice to consider planting.

Bee for Life Foundation is Dedicated to Saving our Pollinators through preserving and building Natural Habitats where they will thrive, and educating others about the Bees and other Pollinators needs.