Rocky Mountain Bee Plant | Seeds and its Importance
Rocky Mountain Bee Plant is with bright pink or purple flowers that really stands out in a field as wild flower. Its scientific name is Cleome serrulata, and it’s also known as the Bee Spider flower, Stinking-Clover, or Toothed Spider-flower. I’ve had the chance to see this amazing plant up close in the wilds.
Description of Rocky Mountain Bee Plant
This special annual herb can grow up to 4 feet tall and is showy with clusters of pink or purple flowers like standing cypress plant that bloom from July to August. The flowers of Bee Plant have four petals and sepals, along with six long, eye-catching stamens. These flowers grow in long, stick-like bunches at the top of the plant. The seeds are large and dark brown or blackish, and they can be eaten raw or cooked. Birds love these seeds, making them a great food source. The fruit is a pod-like capsule that hangs down and can grow up to 4 inches long. The plant’s leaves are divided into three narrow parts and have tiny teeth along the edges. You can find this plant growing along dry roadsides and in open fields. The plant also has an unpleasant smell, so livestock usually avoid it.
Habitat
It belongs to the Capparidaceae family, which is related to the mustard family. This plant is very drought-tolerant and prefers to grow in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. It is commonly found throughout western North America, from southern British Columbia to New Mexico and east to Minnesota. The plant is known for attracting various pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and wasps,
Facts About Rocky Mountain Bee Plant
| Characteristics | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cleome serrulata |
| Common Names | Rocky Mountain Bee Plant, Bee Spiderflower, Stinking-Clover, Toothed Spider-flower |
| Family | Capparidaceae (related to mustard family) |
| Type | Annuals |
| Plant Height | 4 feet tall |
| Bloom time and Color | Summer (July – August), Pink or Purple flowers like Tulips |
| Flower Features | Four petals, four sepals, six long stamens with unpleasant odor |
| Leaves | Divided into three linear-elliptic leaflets, alternate arrangement, margins with small teeth |
| Fruit and Seeds | Pod-like capsules, up to 4 inches long, Â Large, dark brown to blackish seeds |
| Soil Requirements | Well-drained, drought-tolerant |
| Light Requirements | Full Sun |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | 3 through 8 |
Growing and Care
If you want to grow your own Bee Plant, you can start with seeds. These seeds need a little special treatment called stratification to help them sprout. It is a cold treatment to start germination in the dormant seeds.
Importance and Uses of Bee Plant
Cultural Significance
The Rocky Mountain Bee Plant has had a great cultural place in Southwestern Indian tribes for a long time. They used it to make tea for treating fevers and stomach problems. They also used the plant’s stems to get vitamin A and calcium, and the leaves for making deodorant. Even the plant’s dyes were used to decorate pottery!
Economic Importance
The Plant has some economic value, especially in native areas. Farmers and gardeners can use it to improve biodiversity and attract pollinators to their crops, which helps with plant growth and production. The seeds can be sold or used to grow more plants, making it a good option for gardeners looking to diversify their plant collections. Additionally, its role in traditional dye-making adds value to local craft industries.
Medicinal Uses
In traditional medicine, the Rocky Mountain Bee Plant has been used for various health benefits. Southwestern Indian tribes used it to make tea that helped treat fevers and stomach disorders. The plant’s leaves and stems contain nutrients like vitamin A and calcium, which can be beneficial for health. The leaves were also used to help with sore eyes. Some people use the plant to make remedies for different ailments.
Edible Purposes
The seeds of the Cleome serrulata are not only interesting but also edible. You can eat them raw or cook them, making them a unique addition to your diet. I have personally tasted the bread made from the floor mixed with the crushed seeds and the taste was amazing. Moreover, the seeds can be used to make a mush or mixed with flour to create different recipes. They are a good food source for birds, which helps support local wildlife. However, as they are smelly and have a special odor, livestock has no attraction for it.
I’m Dr Qaiser Maqsood (PhD), a dedicated researcher and expert in Biological Sciences, Gardening, Bio-Diversity, Ecology, and Environmental Sciences. I’m much concerned about Environmental Pollution, Climate Change, Plantation, Gardening, and Global Warming. My passion is to explore innovative solutions in all these fields.
Be aware that we have ONLY ONE EARTH. Protect it!!
