Fly Free, Bee Happy
Flowering Vines
Vines are essential in supporting global bee populations, acting as both a vertical ecosystem and a vital nectar corridor in many biodiverse environments. Unlike shrubs and trees, vines climb and sprawl, often bridging gaps between canopies or winding through undergrowth, offering extended blooming periods that sustain pollinators year-round. For bees, especially those in tropical regions, vines provide not only food in the form of nectar and pollen but also shelter and resting spaces. Species such as passionflower (Passiflora spp.), trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), and coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) are globally recognized for their high nectar yields and their ability to attract a diverse range of bee species, making them cornerstone plants in pollinator-friendly landscapes.
In Costa Rica, where biodiversity reaches staggering levels, vines are particularly important to the native Melipona bees—stingless bees revered for their ecological importance and medicinal honey. These bees are uniquely adapted to forage from the intricate, tubular blossoms of native vines like Mucuna, Ipomoea, and Dalechampia. Such plants, often overlooked in traditional bee conservation programs, are critical nectar sources for Melipona colonies throughout the dry and rainy seasons. Supporting these bees means preserving the vines they depend on, planting them intentionally in both rural and urban landscapes, and protecting the complex web of flora that sustains them. As Melipona bees contribute not just to pollination but also to cultural traditions and forest regeneration, prioritizing bee-friendly vines is an urgent, practical step in global conservation strategy.
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