Floral Nectar Production of Jaltomata grandiflora, a Rare Mexican Nightshade

Abstract

Understanding morphological, phenological, or chemical characters that promote reproduction, or limit it, is particularly important for rare plants. Jaltomata grandiflora is a rare member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) from Mexico. In floral nectar, the mean cumulative sugar content per flower was 0.9 mg during the pistillate phase (day 1) and was significantly higher (1.25 mg) during the hermaphroditic phase (day 2). The mean cumulative nectar volume per flower was 0.99 µL during the pistillate phase and was higher (1.36 µL) but not significantly higher during the hermaphroditic phase. The mean sugar concentration (oBrix) was 67.8 during the pistillate phase and slightly higher (70.3) but not significantly higher during the hermaphroditic phase.