Mānuka, or Leptospermum scoparium, is a scrub-type tree which grows prolifically around coastal areas of New Zealand. Its flowers smell very sweet and provide an important source of pollen and nectar for native bees, flies, moths, beetles and geckos.
Before the arrival of Captain Cook and the early settlers, Māori, the native population of New Zealand used the hard, red wood of mānuka/kāhikatoa for everything from paddles, weapons, spade blades, bird spears and mauls to house building. Mānuka was also well-known by the Maori for its health and healing properties.
Using bees to collect nectar for honey only came much later with Mary Bumby who brought two hives with honey bees with her from Sydney in 1839. However, the qualities and benefits of honey collected by bees from the Mānuka flower were discovered only in the late of 20th Century.
Mānuka, or Leptospermum scoparium, is a scrub-type tree which grows prolifically around coastal areas of New Zealand. Its flowers smell very sweet and provide an important source of pollen and nectar for native bees, flies, moths, beetles and geckos.
Before the arrival of Captain Cook and the early settlers, Māori, the native population of New Zealand used the hard, red wood of mānuka/kāhikatoa for everything from paddles, weapons, spade blades, bird spears and mauls to house building. Mānuka was also well-known by the Maori for its health and healing properties.
Using bees to collect nectar for honey only came much later with Mary Bumby who brought two hives with honey bees with her from Sydney in 1839. However, the qualities and benefits of honey collected by bees from the Mānuka flower were discovered only in the late of 20th Century.