Survey of the bee-associated flora in a cerrado area at Floriano municipality, Piauí state, Brazil

Abstract

Knowing the bee-associated flora of a given region is fundamental to the rational practice of apiculture. We aimed to identify the bee-associated
flora in the experimental farm of Colégio Técnico, at Floriano municipality, Piauí state, Brazil, as well as to characterize plant habits and record the flowering period of the species. We also wished to analyze whether there is any relationship between the species flowering period and climatic factors. Data were collected every 15 days from September 2011 to July 2012, in a zig-zag trail of ca. 3 km that borders two apiaries. The presence of bees and the forage resource were registered. We identified 163 plant species belonging to 40 families. Forty-six of these species are potentially beekeeping, the Fabaceae being the most species-rich family (32.6%). Of all beekeeping plant species, 50% are herbs, 13% are subshrubs, 13% are shrubs, 10.9% are lianas, and 13% are trees. The flowering peak of beekeeping species extends from March to May. In December and January, there was a low number of species at flowering stage. Herbaceous species, which had a great beekeeping importance, flowered for a longer period. The vast majority of these intense-flowering herbs are considered weeds. There was no relationship between the number of species at flowering stage and climatic factors. Our results provide subsidies for better hive management, with information on the bee-associated plant species of the region nearby the apiary.