Abstract
There is very scanty information concerning the floral nectary structure and nectar secretion in Prunus laurocerasus L. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the micromorphology, anatomy and ultrastructure of nectaries; the abundance of nectar production; and the quantitative and qualitative composition of sugars contained in the nectar of two P. laurocerasus cultivars: ‘Schipkaensis’ and ‘Zabeliana’. The nectary structure was studied using light, fluorescence, scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The nectar sugars were analysed with HPLC. The ‘Schipkaensis’ had longer inflorescences with a larger number of flowers and a longer perianth than ‘Zabeliana’. The micromorphological structure of the nectaries in ‘Schipkaensis’ exhibited denser (approx. 39%) and larger (approx. 50%) stomata and thicker (approx. 13%) cuticular striae forming wider bands (approx. 26%) than in ‘Zabeliana’. The results provide new data on the micromorphology, anatomy and ultrastructure of these floral nectaries. Nectary cuticle ornamentation as well as the size, type and density of stomata and stomatal complex topography can have a diagnostic value in Prunus. The nectar sugar weight indicates a significant apicultural value of the cherry laurel, especially in the case of ‘Schipkaensis’. Cherry laurel is an entomophilous species recommended for cultivation in nectariferous zones and insect pollinator refuges; however, climatic conditions eliminating the invasiveness of these plants should be considered.
Highlights
Prunus laurocerasus L. (Prunoideae-Rosaceae) is an evergreen shrub reaching a height of 10 m (Lee and Wen 2001; Öztürk and Ölçücü 2016)
The cuticular ornamentation and the topography of stomata on the surface of the P. laurocerasus nectary epidermis are helpful in differentiation between closely related taxa of this genus
The extensive system of mitochondrial inner membranes, the endoplasmic reticulum with varied arrangement of tubules and the numerous transporting vesicles observed near the plasmalemma in the present study suggest granulocrine nectar secretion
Summary
Prunus laurocerasus L. (Prunoideae-Rosaceae) is an evergreen shrub reaching a height of 10 m (Lee and Wen 2001; Öztürk and Ölçücü 2016). The species colonises Serbia, Bulgaria, the Caucasus and Iran. It grows on rocky slopes and in scrubs and forest undergrowth Two P. laurocerasus cultivars, i.e. Schipkaensis’ and ‘Zabeliana’ are well acclimatised in Poland (Seneta and Dolatowski 2012). With their decorative leaves and abundantly flowering inflorescences, they are recommended for planting in parks and gardens (Marco et al 2008; Cameron et al 2014). In some parts of Europe, e.g. in England, Germany, Switzerland and Italy, the shrubs can pose a threat as invasive plants (Hättenschwiler and Körner 2003; Sukopp and Wurzel 2003; Kautz et al 2017)
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