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<title>Nectar source</title>
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<span id="openzim-page-title" class="mw-page-title-main"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Nectar source</span></span>
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<p>A <b>nectar source</b> is a flowering plant that produces <a href="Nectar_(plant)" class="mw-redirect" title="Nectar (plant)">nectar</a> as part of its reproductive strategy. These plants create <a href="Nectar" title="Nectar">nectar</a>, which attract pollinating <a href="Insects" class="mw-redirect" title="Insects">insects</a> and sometimes other animals such as <a href="Birds" class="mw-redirect" title="Birds">birds</a>.
</p><p>Nectar source plants are important for <a href="Beekeeping" title="Beekeeping">beekeeping</a>, as well as in <a href="Agriculture" title="Agriculture">agriculture</a> and <a href="Horticulture" title="Horticulture">horticulture</a>. Their use is particularly important for <a href="Organic_agriculture" class="mw-redirect" title="Organic agriculture">organic agriculture</a> and <a href="Organic_horticulture" title="Organic horticulture">organic horticulture</a>, where they serve not only to attract pollinators for crops, but also provide habitat for <a href="Beneficial_insects" class="mw-redirect" title="Beneficial insects">beneficial insects</a> and other animals that provide pest control.
</p><p>In gardens, nectar sources are often provided to attract <a href="Butterflies" class="mw-redirect" title="Butterflies">butterflies</a> and <a href="Hummingbirds" class="mw-redirect" title="Hummingbirds">hummingbirds</a> as well.
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="For_honey_bees">For honey bees</h2></div>
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</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">See also: <a href="List_of_Northern_American_nectar_sources_for_honey_bees" title="List of Northern American nectar sources for honey bees">List of Northern American nectar sources for honey bees</a></div>

<p>While many plants produce nectar, <a href="Beekeepers" class="mw-redirect" title="Beekeepers">beekeepers</a> prefer to place their hives near certain plants, for the qualities of the <a href="Honey" title="Honey">honey</a> produced. Certain agricultural crops, such as <a href="Clover" title="Clover">clover</a> and <a href="Buckwheat" title="Buckwheat">buckwheat</a>, are used to make <a href="Monofloral_honey" title="Monofloral honey">specific honeys</a>, which often command a premium price.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p><p>Some plants are avoided by some beekeepers (and sought out by others) due to substances found in the nectar. For example, honey made from the nectar of <a href="Rhododendron" title="Rhododendron">rhododendrons</a> ("<a href="Mad_honey" title="Mad honey">mad honey</a>") contains chemicals that cause light-headedness, hallucinations and are believed by some to improve sexual performance. In slightly larger quantities "mad honey" is toxic, and shopkeepers are careful how they sell it.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="For_pollinators">For pollinators</h2></div>
<p>Pollinating insects, including honey bees and many other insects, are a necessary element when growing most crops (though cereal grain crops are wind-pollinated). By maintaining a constant supply of nectar in areas adjacent to a field or vegetable garden throughout the growing season, farmers and gardeners ensure that their crops can be pollinated when they flower.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="For_beneficial_insects">For beneficial insects</h2></div>
<p>Particularly <a href="Organic_horticulture" title="Organic horticulture">organic horticulture</a> and <a href="Organic_farming" title="Organic farming">organic farming</a>, nectar sources are maintained to attract and maintain a population of <a href="Beneficial_insects" class="mw-redirect" title="Beneficial insects">beneficial insects</a>. Insects such as predatory wasps, <a href="Hoverflies" class="mw-redirect" title="Hoverflies">hoverflies</a> and <a href="Chrysopidae" title="Chrysopidae">lacewings</a> feed on nectar as adults, while their larval forms are predatory and feed on garden pests.
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="For_butterflies_and_hummingbirds">For butterflies and hummingbirds</h2></div>

<p>In gardens, the presence of butterflies and hummingbirds is often encouraged. Butterflies are attracted by most good nectar sources, though there are particular plants they seem to prefer. Certain plants are also grown as a food source for their caterpillars.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p><p>Hummingbirds feed on tubular flowers, using their long, siphoning beaks. Many plants in the mint family, <a href="Lamiaceae" title="Lamiaceae">Lamiaceae</a>, are used to attract hummingbirds.
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2></div>
<ul><li><a href="Forage_(honeybee)" class="mw-redirect" title="Forage (honeybee)">Forage (honeybee)</a></li>
<li><a href="Honeydew_source" class="mw-redirect" title="Honeydew source">Honeydew source</a></li>
<li><a href="List_of_honey_plants" title="List of honey plants">List of honey plants</a></li>
<li><a href="Melliferous_flower" title="Melliferous flower">Melliferous flower</a></li>
<li><a href="Pollen_source" class="mw-redirect" title="Pollen source">Pollen source</a></li>
<li><a href="Regional_honeys" class="mw-redirect" title="Regional honeys">Regional honeys</a></li></ul>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2></div>
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</style><cite class="citation journal cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190912050954/https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/helping-agricultures-helpful-honey-bees">"Helping Agriculture's Helpful Honey Bees"</a>. <i>FDA</i>. 5 March 2021. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/helping-agricultures-helpful-honey-bees">the original</a> on September 12, 2019.</cite></span>
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<li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><cite id="CITEREFBryce,_Emma2014" class="citation web cs1">Bryce, Emma (4 September 2014). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://modernfarmer.com/2014/09/strange-history-hallucinogenic-mad-honey/">"The Strange History of 'Mad Honey'"</a>. <i>Modern Farmer</i>.</cite></span>
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<li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.usda.gov/farming-and-ranching/plants-and-crops/plant-breeding/pollinators">"Pollinators"</a>.</cite></span>
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<li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170121022958/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/Pollinator%20Health%20Strategy%202015.pdf">Pollinator health strategy</a> </span>
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<li id="cite_note-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-5">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/butterflies.shtml">"Butterfly Pollination"</a>.</cite></span>
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