Premium
FUNCTION OF MENTZELIA NUDA (LOASACEAE) POSTFLORAL NECTARIES IN SEED DEFENSE
Author(s) -
Keeler Kathleen H.
Publication year - 1981
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.1537-2197.1981.tb12389.x
Subject(s) - nectar , biology , botany , pollination , perennial plant , pollen
Mentzelia nuda is a coarse, short‐lived perennial of the High Plains of North America. The flowers secrete nectar which serves as an attractant for pollinating bees. Postfloral nectar secretion attracts ants whose presence significantly enhances seed set. This is the first demonstration of advantage to postflowering activity of a floral nectary.