Structure of floral nectaries in some medicinally important Phyllanthus species.

摘要

Phyllanthus amarus [P. niruri], P. debilis, P. fraternus and P. urinaria belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and are commonly used in the treatment of hepatitis. These species possess characteristic structures in their flowers, termed as disk segments. These structures are usually found between the calyx lobes and androecium in male flowers and in between the calyx lobes and gynoecium in female flowers. Close microscopic observation showed that these disk segments are actually nectar glands that actively secrete nectar during flowering which attract minute insects for cross-pollination. In male flowers, these nectaries are separate, variously shaped and equivalent to the number of calyx lobes present in a particular species. In female flowers, these nectaries are variously lobed and united at the base, forming a cushion below the gynoecium..