melliferous

Of a plant or its parts: bearing any substance (such as nectar or pollen) which is collected by bees to produce honey.

[I]t vvas impoſſible to tell the Number of Palm-Trees, Olive-Trees, and Fig-trees [in Canaan]; beſides the Paſturage for raiſing innumerable Cattle; and vvas the great Market, for the Arabians and all the Countries about. And being Mountanous, could not but abound vvith Melliferous Plants of the beſt kind.

Pliny [the Elder] ſays this flovver [the anemone] […] differs alſo from ranunclulus in not having a melliferous pore on the clavv of each petal.

Producing honey.

The Hymenoptera belonging to the melliferous or honey-collecting division of the Aculeata, are known by the peculiar conformation of the hind feet, of which the first joint is compressed and extended into the form of a square plate, and provided on its inside with brush-like tufts; these organs are employed for the purpose of collecting and carrying the pollen of flowers, which is employed for the nourishment of the young.

It is stated that honey has been found in the galleries of certain exotic species of Ants, but it is doubtful whether they have not stolen it from some other animals. However this may be, the most perfect melliferous animals are the Bees.

Honeyed, sweet.

melliferous music

[…] Chriſt Jeſus, […] vvith the cæleſtiall devv of his ſpirituall graces diſtilling from the throne of his mercy, (vvhich is perfumed vvith the ſvveet ſmelling incenſe of his meritorious ſacrifice) doeth ſvveeten vvith melliferous odours, the hearts, and ſoules and conſciences of his children, making them acceptable in the noſtrils of their heauenly Father.