EXTRAFLORAL NECTARIES IN THE TROPICAL TREE GUAREA-MACROPHYLLA (MELIACEAE)

Citation
Lpc. Morellato et Ps. Oliveira, EXTRAFLORAL NECTARIES IN THE TROPICAL TREE GUAREA-MACROPHYLLA (MELIACEAE), Canadian journal of botany, 72(2), 1994, pp. 157-160
Citations number
24
Categorie Soggetti
Plant Sciences
Journal title
ISSN journal
00084026
Volume
72
Issue
2
Year of publication
1994
Pages
157 - 160
Database
ISI
SICI code
0008-4026(1994)72:2<157:ENITTT>2.0.ZU;2-N
Abstract
This paper describes the anatomy and morphology of the complex nectary systems of the tropical tree Guarea macrophylla Vahl (Meliaceae) and presents the first record of extrafloral nectaries occurring on reprod uctive organs (fruits) of a member of the order Sapindales. The extraf loral nectaries of G. macrophylla occur on petioles, petiolules, the a baxial surface of all leaflets, leaf buds, and over the surface of fru its. All extrafloral nectaries are distinctly raised above the surface . Foraging ants collect extrafloral nectar on Guarea trees both day an d night. We suggest that the presence of extrafloral nectaries might b e a useful taxonomic character for the identification of Guarea specie s.