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THE EXTRAFLORAL NECTARIES OF IPOMOEA CARNEA (CONVOLVULACEAE)
Author(s) -
Keeler Kathleen H.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1977.tb10810.x
Subject(s) - nectar , biology , convolvulaceae , ipomoea , myrmecophyte , botany , petiole (insect anatomy) , pedicel , hymenoptera , pollen
Ipomoea carnea (Convolvulaceae) possesses two types of extrafloral nectaries, located on the petiole and on the pedicel. These secrete a complex nectar containing sugars and amino acids. The insects attracted to the extrafloral nectaries are predominantly ants and they are relatively abundant throughout the year. A number of incidents of plant defense as a result of the presence of extrafloral nectary visitors at the extrafloral nectaries of I. carnea were observed and are consistent with the ant‐guard theory of the function of extrafloral nectaries.