Nectary structure and nectar in <i>Sobralia</i> and <i>Elleanthus</i> (Sobralieae: Orchidaceae)

Authors

  • Kurt M. Neubig Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois 62901
  • Barbara S. Carlsward Department of Biological Sciences, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois 61920
  • W. Mark Whitten Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611
  • Norris H. Williams Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15517/lank.v15i2.20744

Keywords:

Deceit, Elleanthus, nectar, nectary, pollination, Sobralia, Sobralieae

Abstract

With approximately 200 species, the tribe Sobralieae is a dominant and common Neotropical group of orchids, yet little is known of variation in floral morphology as it relates to their pollination. As currently circumscribed, the tribe includes four genera that differ considerably in flower size and morphology: Elleanthus, Epilyna, Sertifera, and Sobralia. Although nectar-foraging pollinators are known for some species, the relationships of pollination to deceit and to nectar production are all poorly understood. We examined pollination-related of nectaries and nectar characteristics (presence/absence, volume, and concentration) for major clades of Sobralieae. Some species produce abundant nectar, but many species offer no reward. When present, nectar is secreted by thickened calli at the lip base. The cells of the nectariferous calli contain starch, which is rapidly converted to sugar during a brief anthesis (often lasting only one day). Most Sobralia flowers are relatively large, bee-pollinated, with a gullet-shaped lip, false nectary, large pollinia, and offer no reward. Elleanthus flowers are relatively small with a legitimate nectar reward, and most species are hummingbird- pollinated. Hummingbird-pollinated Sobralieae flowers are relatively small, brightly colored in the perianth and/or the subtending bracts, somewhat tubular, with a lip that forms a cup around the callus for storing nectar, and pollinia that are dark and relatively small. 

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Published

2015-08-05

How to Cite

Neubig, K. M., Carlsward, B. S., Whitten, W. M., & Williams, N. H. (2015). Nectary structure and nectar in &lt;i&gt;Sobralia&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Elleanthus&lt;/i&gt; (Sobralieae: Orchidaceae). Lankesteriana: International Journal on Orchidology, 15(2). https://doi.org/10.15517/lank.v15i2.20744

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