Nectar

Nectar is a sugary liquid produced by nectaries in flowering plants and, in some species, by other tissues such as extrafloral nectaries. It serves as a reward to pollinators, helping to guide visitors to flowers that contain pollen and reproductive structures.

Nectar composition varies by species and time of day but typically consists mainly of sugars—predominantly sucrose, glucose, and fructose—and smaller amounts of amino acids, organic acids, minerals, and flavor compounds. The sugar concentration of nectar is often expressed as a percentage of soluble solids and can range from about 10% to more than 60% w/w, depending on species and floral age.

Nectar production occurs in specialized secretory tissues within the nectaries. Secretion is influenced by plant physiology and environmental conditions, including humidity, temperature, and pollinator activity. The presence and concentration of nectar help attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, birds, and bats, which in turn facilitate cross-pollination and plant reproduction. Diurnal or nocturnal patterns reflect pollinator activity.

Some plants produce extrafloral nectar to feed predatory insects that defend the plant from herbivores, while others reduce or modify nectar production to manipulate pollinator behavior. Certain flowers may lack nectar altogether as part of deceptive strategies to attract pollinators without providing a reward.

In human culture, nectar also denotes a sweet beverage, often made from fruit juices. In classical mythology, nectar is the drink of the gods, associated with ambrosia. The term in botany derives from Greek nektar, meaning the drink of the gods.