Everything about Nectar totally explained
Nectar is a
sugar-rich liquid produced by plants. It is produced either by the
flowers, in which it attracts
pollinating animals or by
extrafloral nectaries, which provide a nutrient source to animal
mutualists providing
anti-herbivore protection. It is produced in glands called
nectaries.
Nectar is economically important as it's the sugar source for
honey. It is also useful in
agriculture and
horticulture because the adult stages of many predatory insects, as well as
hummingbirds and butterflies, feed on nectar.
Etymology
Nectar is derived from
Latin nectar "drink of the gods", which in turn has its origins in the
Greek word νέκταρ (
néktar), presumed to be a compound of the elements
nek- "death" and
-tar "overcoming". The earliest recorded use of its current meaning, "sweet liquid in flowers", dates back to 1609.
Floral nectaries
Floral nectaries are generally located at the base of the
perianth, so that pollinators are made to brush the flower's reproductive structures, the
anthers and
pistil, while accessing the nectar.
Extrafloral nectaries
Nectar produced outside the flower is generally made to attract predatory insects. These predatory insects will eat both the nectar and any plant-eating insects around, thus functioning as 'bodyguards'. Extrafloral nectaries are generally located on the leaf
petioles, mid-rib or leaf margin. They are thought to be modified
trichomes and exude nectar which is sourced from
phloem sap. Extrafloral nectaries can be found on species belonging to (amongst others) the genera:
Salix,
Prunus and
Gossypium.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Nectar'.
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