Nectar (plant)

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For other uses of "Nectar", see Nectar (disambiguation).

Nectar, in botany, is a sugar-rich liquid produced by the flowers of plants in order to attract pollinating animals. It is produced in glands called nectaries, which are generally 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. Nectar that is produced outside the flower is generally produced to attract predatory insects. They will eat both the nectar and any plant-eating insects around, thus functioning as 'bodyguards'[1].

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 hummingbirds, feed on nectar.

[edit] See also

• Nectar source
• Nectar guide
• Northern Nectar Sources for Honey Bees