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| Using paper wicks to remove nectar from two nectar spurs in a Delphinium nuttallianum (larkspur) flower |
Floral nectar acts as a reward to
pollinators and its secretion pattern plays a role in mediating
plant-pollinator interactions. Flowers may regulate their nectar production in
response to its removal, but it remains unclear whether this phenomenon is
widespread. For eleven species of Colorado wildflowers, we test for removal-enhanced
nectar replenishment (RENR), in which removal of nectar stimulates an increase
in nectar production. We found that RENR is common and is displayed by nine of
our eleven study species. This ability to dynamically produce nectar in
response to its demand highlights an important consideration in studying
pollinator rewards.
Read the scientific publication in JPE.
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