Articles
NECTAR PRODUCTION CHARACTERISTICS AND NECTAR CHEMISTRY OF PLATANTHERA CHLORANTHA (CUSTER) Rchb. (ORCHIDACEAE)
Article number
561_20
Pages
137 – 140
Language
English
Abstract
During 1996-1999 nectar secretion and nectar chemistry in flowers of Platanthera chlorantha (Custer) Rchb. were studied.
Flowers of this orchid produce nectar in the spur, approximate length 32 mm.
A single flower produced 3.39 mg of nectar, on average.
The observed plants significantly differed in amino acid content in nectar (estimated with the use of semi-quantitative histidine scale). Moreover, the nectar of pollinated flowers was richer in amino acids in comparison with unpollinated flowers.
Nectar appeared in the spur about 1-2 days before the flowers opened.
Secretion continued for 10 days, on average, and the period was shortest for flowers from the higher part of inflorescence.
The length of the nectar column in the higher located flowers as well as in the unpollinated flowers was significantly lower than in the pollinated flowers.
Relationships between enhanced nectar production and the defined day period or temperature and humidity were not observed.
Flowers peaked in nectar production between the 6th and 10th day of secretion.
Afterwards, the nectar was reabsorbed for a short time, irrespective of the flower’s position on an inflorescence or of the flower’s pollination.
Flowers of this orchid produce nectar in the spur, approximate length 32 mm.
A single flower produced 3.39 mg of nectar, on average.
The observed plants significantly differed in amino acid content in nectar (estimated with the use of semi-quantitative histidine scale). Moreover, the nectar of pollinated flowers was richer in amino acids in comparison with unpollinated flowers.
Nectar appeared in the spur about 1-2 days before the flowers opened.
Secretion continued for 10 days, on average, and the period was shortest for flowers from the higher part of inflorescence.
The length of the nectar column in the higher located flowers as well as in the unpollinated flowers was significantly lower than in the pollinated flowers.
Relationships between enhanced nectar production and the defined day period or temperature and humidity were not observed.
Flowers peaked in nectar production between the 6th and 10th day of secretion.
Afterwards, the nectar was reabsorbed for a short time, irrespective of the flower’s position on an inflorescence or of the flower’s pollination.
Publication
Authors
M. Stpiczynska
Keywords
Orchidaceae, Platanthera, nectar secretion, nectar chemistry
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