Abstract.
The structure of floral nectaries of Crataegus coccinea and C. crus-galli was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The radial length of the floral nectary, measured from longitudinal sections of flowers, was 30% larger in C. crus-galli than in C. coccinea. For both Crataegus species the glandular tissue thickness was similar – approx. 400 μm. Also, the number of stomata per mm2 of nectary surface in C. crus-galli was much higher (by 43%) than for C. coccinea. Stomata were situated in deep hollows. For both taxa the period of nectar secretion was 4 days. The mean quantity of total sugar in nectar per 10 flowers of C. crus-galli and C. coccinea was 3.87 mg and 0.33 mg, respectively.
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Received August 28, 2002; accepted December 17, 2002 Published online: June 2, 2003
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Weryszko-Chmielewska, E., Masierowska, M. & Konarska, A. Characteristics of floral nectaries and nectar in two species of Crataegus (Rosaceae). Plant Syst Evol 238, 33–41 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-002-0283-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00606-002-0283-0