POISONOUS HONEY

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 9 December 1920, Page 4

POISONOUS HONEY

H. F. M M Matata, writes to the 1f.55. Journal of Agriculture a3 folfollows :—I would liice to Know if there are many flowers which yield poisonous honey, Rangiora scrub is abundant here, but I believe that in its case the poison evaporates. However, there are said to be other-plants much worse in their action, and I have heard a small yellow Rwauap> flower blamed, but do not Know if this is correct. Therp have been several cases of severe poisoning in the district, one at Wairaana being fatal, and the advice usually given is, '• Do not touch wild honey." But there cannot be any difference between wild aud apiary honey where scrub (not bush) is so abundant. Some say that if the honey is sealed it is safe, while others disagree. Can you give me any definite information ? The Horticulture Division :—What is presumed to be the most common plant frotr which poisonous honey ia gathered is Brachyglottis repanda — commonly called (but wrongly so) "rangiora." This plant is rightly " Wharangi-Tawhito" ; it is common in northern districts. Brachyglottis rangiora is common in the northe7*n portion of the North Island; it is also found in the South Island, and is correctly and commonly called " rangiora." They are of the same family, but rangiora is certainly the more handsome plant. Ranunculus rivnlaris, commonly called "whoriki," is a swamp-buttercup with a yellow flower, and this rolant also yields n poibonous nectar in the flowering season. It is gratifying to know, however, that all the poisoning cases which JJhave been investigated have been due to eating the honey in the spring before it has bsen riuened bjthe bees, and no cases have been known when only vipo or capped honey has been used. This would naturally suggest that the poison is volatile, and is evaporated by the bees before the cappings of wax are placed in a position to seal the cells. So far as the honey produced by commercial bookkeepers in the districts affected is concerned, there is no danger whatever, as the produco is not extracted from the comb until the cells are sealed, aud private owners need not be afraid as long as they take the same precautions.