Carbohydrate Analysis of Floral and Extra-floral Nectars in Selected Taxa of Sansevieria (Agavaceae)

A comparative analysis of the simple carbohydrates (fructose,glucose, sucrose) between floral and extra-floral nectars wasperformed among 17 taxa and two established cultivars of Sansevieria.Floral nectars (FNs) were found to be universally sucrose dominant,while extra-floral nectars (EFNs) were extremely sucrose poor(hexose dominant). Monosaccharide: saccharide ratios for FNsvaried from 1: 1.1 to 1: 4.4. By contrast, monosaccharide: disaccharideratios of EFNs varied from 6.0: 1 to 17.1: 1. Floral and inflorescencemorphology in addition to chemical factors strongly suggesta hawkmoth pollinated syndrome. Extra-floral nectaries may provideprotection of the inflorescence against herbivores by ants orother aggressive insects. Sansevieria, Agavaceae, floral nectars, extra-floral nectars, pollination