Propolis-producing plants in Iran Investigation on the most important

Propolis or bee glue is a resinous mixture that honey bees produce by mixing saliva and beeswax with exudate gathered from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. It is like beeswax and possesses a pleasant smell. Its color varies such as yellow, green, red, dark brown. Its composition varies depending on its botanical sources, district, weather, bee race, hive density, and food storage. Precise identification of plants producing resin in every district is essential because all propolis physical and chemical properties such as color, taste, odor, active ingredients, and its medical properties are affected by resin kind and origin. There is a high variety of resin sources because of the variety of climate and flora in Iran. The aim of this study was to introduce plants producing valuable resin in beekeeping in Iran. Some sources including the species from Cupressaceae, Pinaceae, Salicaceae, Betulaceae, and Umbelliferae are the most important propolis sources in Iran.