Beekeeping is among the most important income-generating activities for smallholder farmers in Nyambaka (Cameroon). For the prudent development of this sector, it is important to fully understand the diversity of the flora growing within the vicinity of apiaries. This study was intended to screen the apicultural status of three wild plant species; Keetia venosa (Rubiaceae), Maranthes kerstingii (Chrysobalanaceae) and Nicandra physalodes (Solanaceae)  at the study site from June to March 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 respectively. Parameters related to the foraging behaviour of Apis mellifera workers were recorded on the flowers of these plant species twice a week, between 07:00 a.m. and 06:00 p.m. during the whole blooming period. The abundance of opened flowers per plant, floral products harvested by foragers, mean duration of floral visit, mean density of foragers, sugar content of nectar of each plant species, and number of effective visits of A. mellifera on flowers were assessed. In addition, the melissopalynology of the honey samples was performed. Results indicated that, honeybee workers harvested nectar and pollen of each of these three plant species. K. venosa and N. physalodes were intensely foraged for pollen harvesting too. The density of workers varied from 67 individuals/1000 flowers on K. venosa to 401 on M. kerstingii. The mean value of the sugar content of nectar ranged from 30.59% (K. venosa) to 34.78% (N. physalodes). M. kerstingii was found to be a highly nectariferous plant species, N. physalodes also a very highly nectariferous and polliniferous one, while K. venosa was very highly nectariferous and slightly polliniferous plant. Analysis revealed the presence of pollen grains of each plant species studied inside the honey samples. It is therefore an important practice to preserve these flowering plant species for the sustainable development of beekeeping in Nyambaka.

Keywords: Nectar, Pollen, Melissopalynology, Foraging, Bee plant, Plant status