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 13 ant-acacia foliar nectaries DHJanzen100095.jpg high resolution
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| These large foliar nectarias (on Acacia collinsii) produce sugar-rich nectar of about the consistency of Karo syrup, and the nectar is continually harvested by the ants (though at different rates at different times of day). A 2 m tall tree can produce as much as 1 cc of nectar per 24 hours. The nectaries on the left have a droplet of unharvested nectar on their upper surface. Note the ant head in the exit/entrance hole to the swollen thorn. The ants obtain all of their sugars from this nectar, and do not go off the ant-acacia to collect nectar from other species of plants in the vicinity. | ||
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