Nectar
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2008-06-19T03:14:29Z
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latin names in italics, linked name
{{otherusesof|Nectar}}
[[Image:Nectar.jpg|thumb|250px|Nectar of camellia]]
'''Nectar''' is a [[sugar]]-rich liquid produced by plants. It is produced either by the [[flower]]s, in which it attracts [[pollination|pollinating]] animals or by '''extrafloral nectaries''', which provide a nutrient source to animal [[mutualism|mutualists]] providing [[plant defense against herbivory|anti-herbivore protection]]. It is produced in glands called '''nectaries'''.
Nectar is economically important as it is the sugar source for [[honey]]. It is also useful in [[agriculture]] and [[horticulture]] because the adult stages of many predatory insects, as well as [[hummingbird]]s 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 language|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.<ref>{{Citeweb|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=nectar|title=Online Etymology Dictionary|author=Douglas Harper|accessdate=2007-09-26}}</ref>
==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'.<ref>[http://www.cambridge.org/uk/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521819415 Plant-Provided Food for Carnivorous Insects - Cambridge University Press<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Extrafloral nectaries are generally located on the leaf [[petiole (botany)|petioles]], mid-rib or leaf margin. They are thought to be modified [[trichome]]s 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]]''.
[[Image:Prunus_africana_nectaries.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Extrafloral nectaries on ''Prunus africana'']]
[[Image:Cherry petiole glands.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Extrafloral nectaries on the petiole of a ''[[Prunus avium]]'' leaf.]]
<!-- Commenting out the following because this is probably not the botanic usage of the term nectar
Nectar is the name give to manufactured fruit drinks (Mango Nectar, Pear Nectar, Peach Nectar) and a common drink in [[Latin American]] countries.
-->
==See also==
{{Commonscat|Nectaries}}
*[[Nectar source]]
*[[Nectar guide]]
*[[Nectarivore]]
*[[Northern Nectar Sources for Honey Bees]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Flowers]]
[[Category:Honey]]
[[Category:Horticulture]]
[[Category:Insect ecology]]
[[Category:Pollination]]
{{botany-stub}}
[[cs:Nektar]]
[[da:Nektar (planter)]]
[[de:Nektar (Botanik)]]
[[es:Néctar (botánica)]]
[[eo:Nektaro]]
[[fr:Nectar (botanique)]]
[[gd:Neactair]]
[[ko:꽃꿀]]
[[id:Nektar]]
[[it:Nettare (botanica)]]
[[he:צוף]]
[[lt:Nektaras]]
[[ms:Madu]]
[[nl:Nectar (plant)]]
[[ja:蜜]]
[[no:Nektar]]
[[pl:Nektar (botanika)]]
[[pt:Néctar]]
[[simple:Nectar]]
[[fi:Mesi]]
[[sv:Nektar]]
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[[zh:花蜜]]