COMPARISON OF POLLEN MORPHOLOGIES EXAMINATION OF SOME Rhododendron SPECIES - PLANT SOURCE OF MAD HONEY

Honey is one of the important natural products used for apitherapeutic purposes as well as food consumption. The authenticity of the products to be used for apitherapy is very important. Botanical origin is one of the most critical factors affecting the characterization of bee products, especially honey. Therefore, melissopalynological analysis is essential in honey samples. In this study, the pollen morphologies of four different Rhododendron taxa, the origin of the monofloral "Mad honey" used for apitherapeutic purposes in Turkey, were examined. Five different measurement parameters have been used to investigate the pollen morphology of the plants. As a result, it can be said that pollen morphology has an important place in confirming the botanical origin of “Mad honey”.