Knowra Nectar Nectar Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid produced by flowers that attracts animal pollinators. Its sugars provide food, while its scent and composition can influence which animals visit.
Nectary : A plant gland that secretes nectar, often within a flower. Nectaries release the liquid reward that draws pollinators to flowers.
Nectarivore : An animal that feeds partly or primarily on floral nectar. Nectarivores consume the liquid reward supplied by flowers.
Carbohydrate : A class of organic compounds that includes sugars, starches, and cellulose. Nectar’s main energetic ingredients are carbohydrate sugars.
Agave : A genus of succulent plants native to the Americas, many of which flower after years of growth. Some agaves produce abundant nectar that supports bats and other flower visitors.
Nectar sugar composition : The proportions of sugars, chiefly sucrose, glucose, and fructose, in nectar. Sugar ratios affect nectar’s energy value and which pollinators prefer it.
Hummingbird : A New World bird family whose species commonly feed on floral nectar. Many hummingbirds obtain energy from nectar while pollinating flowers.
Sucrose : A disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose. Sucrose is a common major sugar in floral nectar.
Yucca moth : A moth that pollinates yucca flowers while laying eggs in their ovaries. Yucca moths visit flowers for nectar and perform a tightly linked pollination service.
Floral scent : Volatile chemical compounds released by flowers that contribute to their scent. Scent can guide pollinators toward flowers offering nectar.
Hawk moth : A moth in the family Sphingidae, many of which visit flowers for nectar. Long-tongued hawk moths can reach nectar in deep, narrow flowers.
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