What does nectary mean?
A nectary is a specialized structure in a flower that produces nectar. Nectar is a sugar-rich liquid that rewards pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, birds, and bats, encouraging them to visit flowers and transfer pollen between plants. Nectaries may be found in several parts of a flower, including the sepals, petals, stamens, and pistil. Some plants also produce nectar from extrafloral nectaries, structures located outside the flower, which can attract ants or other animals that provide indirect benefits such as protection from herbivores. The term is chiefly used in botany and plant anatomy. It is related to the word “nectar,” but the two refer to different things: the nectary is the organ that makes nectar, while nectar is the liquid produced by it.
nounA specialized gland or group of glands in a flower that produces nectar, often as a reward for pollinators such as insects, birds, and bats. Nectaries may occur in the flower’s sepals, petals, stamens, or pistil, and can sometimes be located outside the flower.
- A gland or group of glands that secretes nectar in a flower, either within the flower or, in some species, outside it.
"The flower’s deep nectary is accessible to the long-tongued moth that pollinates it."
"Bees landed on the flower and probed its nectary for nectar."
"The plant’s extrafloral nectary attracts ants, which may help protect it from herbivores."
The standard plural is “nectaries.”
"The researchers mapped the nectaries of several orchid species."
A nectary is a flower’s tiny sugar factory: its scent, color, and nectar reward pollinators while helping the plant reproduce.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nectary come from?
“Nectary” entered English through New Latin as nectarium, from the Latin nectar, meaning a drink or sweet liquid associated with the gods. The Latin word derives from Greek nēktar, the drink of the gods, probably related to Greek néktein, “to be wet” or “to drink.” The botanical meaning developed by analogy with glands that secrete a sugary substance.
How nectary is actually used
This is primarily a botanical term. In general botanical description, “nectary” refers to the nectar-producing organ, while “nectary base” refers to the part of the floral receptacle or other structure where the nectary is located.
Easily confused with nectary
A nectary is the flower structure that produces nectar, whereas nectar is the sugar-containing liquid itself.