Lpc. Morellato et Ps. Oliveira, EXTRAFLORAL NECTARIES IN THE TROPICAL TREE GUAREA-MACROPHYLLA (MELIACEAE), Canadian journal of botany, 72(2), 1994, pp. 157-160
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.