Melissopalynology or Melitopalynology is the branch of palynology which studies the botanical and geographical origin of honey by subjecting honey sediment, and therefore pollen and the other fungi imperfecti contained therein, to microscopic analysis.

Studies have made it possible to ascertain, on a rigourous, scientific basis, the apicultural importance of the different botanical species, whereas previously this evaluation was the fruit of general field observations. Even though melissopalynological analysis is not error proof it does provide, together with organoleptic and physical- chemical analyses, a valid means for formulating an objective opinion about the botanical origin of any type of honey. Flower nectar always contains greater or lesser quantities of pollen can then be traced in the honey sediment. Identification of these pollens, estimation of the percentage in which they are present and the eventual identification of elements probably indicative of honeydew, make it possible to trace the botanical species gathered with far greater precision than can be obtained with direct observations. With direct observations it is only possible to ascertain wether a species is more or less intensely visited by bees, but not the extent to which it contributes to honey production.

Through melissopalynology it is also possible to trace the geographical origin of a particular type of honey, since its pollen spectrum, i.e. pollens in the sediment as awhole, reflects the floral situation of the place where that particular honey was produced. Different geographical areas present particular floral associations and the greater the climatic difference the more conspicuous the variation in the floral association. The identification of geographic origin is generally based upon the presence of a combination of pollens typical of that particular area: only in some cases is it possible to find particular pollens, which are characteristic of a certain territory and are not found elswhere; these marker pollens, if present, are sufficient to indicate the origin of the variety of honey in which they are found.

         Links:

• American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology
• European Paly Links - Speiwak
• European Pollen Information, Univ, Vienna
• International Association of Aeroalergy
• University of Arizona - Southwestern USA Aeroallergy U Nebraska State Museum Pollen Counts
• Alternative Pollinators
• Bee Lab's list of Crop Pollinators
• BIBBA British Bee Breeders
• British Nat. Honey Show
• Carl Hayden Bee Lab
• IBRA Intern. Bee Research Assoc.

• Directory of Botany, Paleobotany, Palynology, Pollen
• Monash Univ. (Australia) Palynology
• Penn State University Palynology
• Sheffield University
• Swedish Natural History Museum Palynology Laboratory
• University of Miami Dino Page
• University of Nebraska Palynology Courses
• University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
• University of Wyoming Palynology
• Palynology and Quarternary Ecology - University of Amsterdam
• Swedish Museum of Natural History (NRM) - Palynological Laboratory
• University of Innsbruck- Department of Palynology
• Laboratory of Palaeobotany and Palynology - LPP Foundation
• Pollen Monitoring Program