|
Glandulicactus wrightii
A drop of nectar secreted by an
areolar
gland (nectary.) |
The nectar is a sugary
exudate of various
glands known as the
nectaries. Nectaries are
organs usually located within
the base of the
flower (floral
nectaries) or on other portions of the
plant (extrafloral nectaries)
Nectar attracts pollinators
such as hummingbirds and insects,
(particularly gathered by bees who go from flower to flower sipping nectar
for making honey)
causing the pollination of the flowers. Plants which produce
nectar secrete only small amounts at one time. This encourages
many visits by many pollinators which in turn increases the
possibility that the plant will be successfully
fertilized.
Related arguments:
Nectar guide:
Colour marks on flowers believed to direct insects
to nectar sources
Nectaries: The organs of plants which secrete nectar.
Nectar plant: Plants which produce abundant nectar secrete.
Nectariferous: secreting nectar; plants or plant part containing
nectar. |
