Alfalfa (lucerne)
Alfalfa, or lucerne (Medicago sativa), is a worldwide forage legume that yields a lot of nectar when it is allowed to flower.
Alfalfa, or lucerne (Medicago sativa), is a perennial forage legume with three-part leaves, a root that reaches 4 m and racemes of 5 to 40 flowers, mostly blue or purple, sometimes yellow. It comes from the Mediterranean basin and south-western Asia, was among the first forage crops to be domesticated and is now grown worldwide from 36° south to 58° north.
Alfalfa produces a large amount of nectar; estimates run from 62 kg to 2 t per hectare. Yet when it is cut for hay just as flowering begins, the beekeeper gets little or no alfalfa honey. Left for seed, one strong colony per half hectare can store 25–45 kg, while at about seven colonies per hectare there is little surplus, and colonies weaken fast on alfalfa alone.
Honey bees are also clumsy pollinators here: an Estonian study found they made over 90 % of bee visits, but most took nectar from the side of the flower without tripping it. EU honey law allows alfalfa honey up to 10 g of sucrose per 100 g, twice the usual limit.
Why this matters to you: alfalfa feeds bees only where it is allowed to bloom, so seed crops, not hay fields, are where alfalfa honey comes from.
Facts
| Botanical origin | Medicago sativa L., legume family (Fabaceae) |
|---|---|
| Region | From the Mediterranean basin and south-western Asia; grown worldwide, 36° S to 58° N |
| Colour | Mostly blue or purple, sometimes yellow |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Alfalfa (lucerne) → kind of → Honey plants → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Honey plants
- Which honey it gives
- Alfalfa honey
Frequently asked questions
Does alfalfa give much nectar?
Yes. Estimates range from 62 kg to 2 t of nectar per hectare.
Why is there often no alfalfa honey?
Because hay crops are cut just as flowering starts, before bees can use the bloom.
Is it true that honey bees are the best pollinators of alfalfa?
No. They make most bee visits, but they mostly take nectar from the side of the flower without tripping it.
How many colonies does an alfalfa field support?
About one strong colony per half hectare can store 25–45 kg; at seven colonies per hectare there is little surplus.
Is alfalfa honey different under EU law?
Yes. It may contain up to 10 g of sucrose per 100 g instead of the general 5 g.
Similar
Black locust · Rapeseed · Sweet chestnut · Heather (ling) · Lavender · Rosemary
Sources
- Heuzé V., Tran G., Boval M., Noblet J., Renaudeau D., Lessire M., Lebas F. (2016) Alfalfa (Medicago sativa). Feedipedia, a programme by INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO
- Mänd M., Martin A.-J., Maavara V. (1994) Significance of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) behaviour on the pollination of alfalfa. Estonian Agricultural University (FAO AGRIS record)
- Council Directive 2001/110/EC relating to honey (consolidated text)
- Persano Oddo L. et al. (2004) Botanical species giving unifloral honey in Europe. Apidologie 35, S82-S93