Spur (biology)

Spur (biology)

A spur in botany is a spike, usually part of a flower.

In certain plants, part of a sepal or petal develops into an elongated hollow spike extending behind the flower, containing nectar which is sucked by long-tongued animals (insects, birds or bats). Plants with such structures include "Delphinium", "Aquilegia", "Piperia", and some orchids, such as "Gymnadenia". Spurs may be useful in species identification – for example Yadon's piperia cannot be easily distinguished from other "Piperia" save for the unusually short length of its spur. [Morgan & Ackerman, Lindleyana 5:205–211 (1990)]

In tropical pitcher plants of the genus "Nepenthes", the spur is a small appendage at the base of the pitcher lid. [Clarke, C.M. 1997. "Nepenthes of Borneo". Natural History Publications (Borneo), Kota Kinabalu.]

References

ee also

*Sepal
*Petal
*Tepal
*Calyx
*Corolla


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