The structure of floral nectaries of some species of Vicia L. (Papilionaceae)

Abstract

The subject of research were morphology and ultrastructure of floral nectaries of nine species of <i>Vicia</i>. The differences in their size and morphological structure were shown. Small, almost flat nectaries appeared in flowers of <i>Vicia tetrasperma</i> and <i>V. hirsuta</i>. Much better developed ones which had convexities with the shape of a protuberance, a half-ring or a half -ring with a ligulate outgrowth were observed in <i>V. silvatica</i>, <i>V. cracca</i>, <i>V. villosa</i>, <i>V. sativa</i> and <i>V. angustifolia</i>. Completely convex, annular nectaries with a ligulate outgrowth belonged to <i>V. sepium</i> and <i>V. grandiflora</i>. Small anatomical differences concerned mainly the structure and distribution of vascular bundles, whereas ultrastructure of secretory cells was very similar. Nectar got into the surface through the modified stomata situated on the top of nectaries' convexities.