Patterns of Nectar Production in <i>Asclepias curassavica</i> (Apocynaceae))
Milkweeds are important nectar resources for insects in the New World. In addition, nectar is the germination medium for milkweed pollen. This study is the first controlled, greenhouse examination of patterns of nectar production in a milkweed species. We measured nectar volume, concentration, and m...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Enviroquest Ltd.
2019-11-01
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| Series: | Journal of Pollination Ecology |
| Online Access: | https://pollinationecology.org/index.php/jpe/article/view/541 |
| _version_ | 1819113882591952896 |
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| author | Steven Broyles |
| author_facet | Steven Broyles |
| author_sort | Steven Broyles |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Milkweeds are important nectar resources for insects in the New World. In addition, nectar is the germination medium for milkweed pollen. This study is the first controlled, greenhouse examination of patterns of nectar production in a milkweed species. We measured nectar volume, concentration, and mg of sugar in the pantropical, weedy milkweed Asclepias curassavica. Our results show that A. curassavica secretes nectar primarily during daylight hours and it continues at a constant daily rate for four to five days. Freshly secreted nectar is lower in sugar concentration than older nectar. This provides an opportunity for milkweed pollen to germinate throughout the day, but pollen germination could be inhibited at times when the sugar concentration increases. Nectar production in A. curassavica is adapted to attract diurnal insect pollinators over several days and to allow pollen germination to occur quickly. Significant differences in nectar production exist among plants and among inflorescences within plants. Nectar production increases in flowers when nectar is extracted using paper wicks that simulate removal by insects in nature. Removal-enhanced nectar production in milkweeds may allow plants to adjust resources to inflorescences receiving insect visitation. Significant inter-plant differences in nectar production and the unique milkweed flower provides a model system for examining the role of pollinator-mediated selection on nectar traits. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T04:36:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dea1785b68d54074b849701671ac707b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1920-7603 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T04:36:28Z |
| publishDate | 2019-11-01 |
| publisher | Enviroquest Ltd. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Pollination Ecology |
| spelling | doaj.art-dea1785b68d54074b849701671ac707b2022-12-21T18:38:53ZengEnviroquest Ltd.Journal of Pollination Ecology1920-76032019-11-012510.26786/1920-7603(2019)541328Patterns of Nectar Production in <i>Asclepias curassavica</i> (Apocynaceae))Steven Broyles0State University of New York College at Cortland.Milkweeds are important nectar resources for insects in the New World. In addition, nectar is the germination medium for milkweed pollen. This study is the first controlled, greenhouse examination of patterns of nectar production in a milkweed species. We measured nectar volume, concentration, and mg of sugar in the pantropical, weedy milkweed Asclepias curassavica. Our results show that A. curassavica secretes nectar primarily during daylight hours and it continues at a constant daily rate for four to five days. Freshly secreted nectar is lower in sugar concentration than older nectar. This provides an opportunity for milkweed pollen to germinate throughout the day, but pollen germination could be inhibited at times when the sugar concentration increases. Nectar production in A. curassavica is adapted to attract diurnal insect pollinators over several days and to allow pollen germination to occur quickly. Significant differences in nectar production exist among plants and among inflorescences within plants. Nectar production increases in flowers when nectar is extracted using paper wicks that simulate removal by insects in nature. Removal-enhanced nectar production in milkweeds may allow plants to adjust resources to inflorescences receiving insect visitation. Significant inter-plant differences in nectar production and the unique milkweed flower provides a model system for examining the role of pollinator-mediated selection on nectar traits.https://pollinationecology.org/index.php/jpe/article/view/541 |
| spellingShingle | Steven Broyles Patterns of Nectar Production in <i>Asclepias curassavica</i> (Apocynaceae)) Journal of Pollination Ecology |
| title | Patterns of Nectar Production in <i>Asclepias curassavica</i> (Apocynaceae)) |
| title_full | Patterns of Nectar Production in <i>Asclepias curassavica</i> (Apocynaceae)) |
| title_fullStr | Patterns of Nectar Production in <i>Asclepias curassavica</i> (Apocynaceae)) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patterns of Nectar Production in <i>Asclepias curassavica</i> (Apocynaceae)) |
| title_short | Patterns of Nectar Production in <i>Asclepias curassavica</i> (Apocynaceae)) |
| title_sort | patterns of nectar production in i asclepias curassavica i apocynaceae |
| url | https://pollinationecology.org/index.php/jpe/article/view/541 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT stevenbroyles patternsofnectarproductioniniasclepiascurassavicaiapocynaceae |