Red floral nectar that absorbs ultraviolet light is produced by a new Peruvian species, Jaltomata weigendiana (Solanaceae)

摘要

This is the first report of ultraviolet-absorbing corolla veins in the genus Jaltomata, and the firstreport of ultraviolet-absorbing nectar for the Solanaceae. The corolla of the species studied, J.weigendiana, is green and campanulate and reflects light in the ultraviolet (UV) part of the spectrum. TheUV-absorbing radial corolla veins are hypothesized to serve as nectar guides. Five radial staminal-corollathickenings create nectar troughs between the radial thickenings. The nectar is visibly red and, like thecorolla veins, strongly absorbs UV radiation. Nectar volume from greenhouse-grown plants ranged from7 to 57 μl (mean 28) and estimates of sugar concentration ranged from 9 to 24 % (mean 15). J.weigendiana is a new species, distinguished from congeners by having no more than two flowers perinflorescence and by lacking both a corolla limb and corolla lobules. Fruits of this species are eaten bylocal people. Published on-line www.phytologia.org Phytologia 100(1): 12-18 (Mar 16, 2018). ISSN030319430.