This study aimed to identify the pollen types of 11 honey samples produced in apiaries of two cities in the State of Bahia, Brazil: Antônio Gonçalves (five samples) and Campo Formoso (six samples); to verify richness and diversity from each apiary and to compare the similarity among them. The samples were obtained from beekeepers according to the period of production and availability. The palynological analysis of these samples followed the standard procedures of melissopalynology with the use of acetolysis. The pollen types occurring in the honey samples were identified and at least 1,000 pollen grains per sample were counted to determine the frequency classes and the frequency of occurrence. Overall, 147 pollen types were detected, of which 143 are distributed in 35 botanical families. The most representative families concerning the number of pollen types were: Fabaceae (33), Asteraceae (18), Euphorbiaceae (11), Anacardiaceae and Malvaceae (09 types each), Rubiaceae (08) and Myrtaceae (07). The average value of pollen types per sample was 28.18. The genus that contributed the most was Mimosa L. (Fabaceae) with eight pollen types detected. The wealth of pollen types found revealed important information about the local flora which is explored by Apis mellifera. Therefore, it becomes an important tool to assist in the preservation and propagation of these plants and, consequently, increasing honey production.

The aim of this study was to identify plant species visited by Apis mellifera L. in honey producing areas with typical Caatinga vegetation in the State of Bahia, as well as morphologically characterize pollen grains of the most representative species. Flowering specimens were collected from both areas, herborized, identified and deposited at the HUNEB herbarium. Analyses of floristic similarities were performed between eleven municipalities close to the study areas. Pollen was collected from all specimens, acetolyzed, measured, statistically analyzed, morphologically described, and photographed in light microscopy. Of the total of species recorded, 67.46 % were regarded as having beekeeping importance, with the richest botanical families being Fabaceae, Malvaceae and Asteraceae. Additionally, 37.5 % of the recorded species were herbs. The analyzed municipalities showed 84 % of floristic similarity. Of the total species recorded with visits by A. mellifera, 25.52 % had their pollen grains already described in the literature as monads, tetrads and polyads; isopolar, apolar and heteropolar; and mostly prolate spheroidal shape. Sizes varied from small to large, and the amb circular was predominant. The exine ornamentation was greatly diversified, varying from psilate to echinate. The obtained data corroborate the palynological knowledge of plants regarded as having beekeeping importance within the Caatinga.

A vegetação da Caatinga é rica em uma diversidade de espécies vegetais utilizadas para satisfazer as necessidades humana. Muitas dessas espécies são utilizadas para fins terapêuticos por populações. As formas de uso dessas espécies podem ser registradas e resgatadas através de estudos etnobotânicos, os quais contribuem no levantamento das potencialidades dos recursos vegetais, bem como em planos de recuperação e conservação da vegetação. Assim, com base em uma revisão integrativa, o presente trabalho buscou copilar informações sobre como os trabalhos de etnobotânica das plantas medicinais estão sendo desenvolvidos, assim como a respeito das principais espécies e famílias botânicas de potencial medicinal descritas, em levantamentos realizados em áreas caatinga localizadas na região semiárida do Nordeste. Para isso, foram selecionados artigos publicados entre os anos de 2010 e 2022, que abordassem a temática relacionada. Foram considerados trabalhos publicados no formato de artigos originais, disponíveis de forma online, gratuito e completo, em língua portuguesa e inglesa. Esses artigos foram consultados em diferentes bases de dados. A análise integrativa evidenciou as características das publicações, como a concentração de estudos direcionados aos estados da Bahia, Paraíba e Pernambuco, bem como demonstrou uma rica diversidade de plantas medicinais que são utilizadas pela população no semiárido nordestino, destacando-se, principalmente, os saberes tradicionais sobre as suas formas de uso e propriedades terapêuticas.

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