Nectar Production in Abutilon I. Movement of Nectar Through the Cuticle

Abstract

Observations by light microscopy of the process of exudation of nectar from the nectary hairs of Abutilon show that the nectar passes through the relatively impermeable cuticle in discrete droplets at regular intervals. From the observations it is concluded that there are pores through the cuticle at the hair tips which act as valves to produce these discrete drops. Numerous small pores at the expected positions are visible in electron micrographs.