Editing Nectar source

{{Short description|Flowering plant that produces nectar}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2017}}
[[File:Pollination - Apis mellifera on Taraxacum officinale.jpg|thumb|A [[Western honey bee]] pollinating a [[Taraxacum officinale|dandelion]]]]
A '''nectar source''' is a flowering plant that produces [[nectar (plant)|nectar]] as part of its reproductive strategy. These plants create [[nectar]], which attract pollinating [[insects]] and sometimes other animals such as [[birds]].{{fact|date=May 2025}}

Nectar source plants are important for [[beekeeping]], as well as in [[agriculture]] and [[horticulture]]. Their use is particularly important for [[organic agriculture]] and [[organic horticulture]], where they serve not only to attract pollinators for crops, but also provide habitat for [[beneficial insects]] and other animals that provide pest control.

In gardens, nectar sources are often provided to attract [[butterflies]] and [[hummingbirds]] as well.

==For honey bees==
{{See also|List of Northern American nectar sources for honey bees}}
[[File:Bee gathering nectar (14117815255).jpg|thumb|Bee gathering nectar]]
While many plants produce nectar, [[beekeepers]] prefer to place their hives near certain plants, for the qualities of the [[honey]] produced. Certain agricultural crops, such as [[clover]] and [[buckwheat]], are used to make [[Monofloral honey|specific honeys]], which often command a premium price.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/helping-agricultures-helpful-honey-bees | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912050954/https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/helping-agricultures-helpful-honey-bees | url-status=dead | archive-date=September 12, 2019 | title=Helping Agriculture's Helpful Honey Bees | journal=FDA | date=5 March 2021 }}</ref>

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 [[rhododendron]]s ("[[mad honey]]") 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://modernfarmer.com/2014/09/strange-history-hallucinogenic-mad-honey/|title=The Strange History of 'Mad Honey'|work= Modern Farmer|date=4 September 2014|publisher=|author=Bryce, Emma}}</ref>

==For pollinators==
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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.usda.gov/pollinators | title=Pollinators }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170121022958/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/Pollinator%20Health%20Strategy%202015.pdf Pollinator health strategy] </ref>

==For beneficial insects==
Particularly [[organic horticulture]] and [[organic farming]], nectar sources are maintained to attract and maintain a population of [[beneficial insects]]. Insects such as predatory wasps, [[hoverflies]] and [[Chrysopidae|lacewings]] feed on nectar as adults, while their larval forms are predatory and feed on garden pests.

==For butterflies and hummingbirds==
[[File:Nectar (32539661603).jpg|thumb|Butterflies collecting nectar]]
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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/butterflies.shtml | title=Butterfly Pollination }}</ref>

Hummingbirds feed on tubular flowers, using their long, siphoning beaks. Many plants in the mint family, [[Lamiaceae]], are used to attract hummingbirds.

==See also==
*[[Forage (honeybee)]]
*[[Honeydew source]]
*[[List of honey plants]]
*[[Melliferous flower]]
*[[Pollen source]]
*[[Regional honeys]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nectar Source}}
[[Category:Flowers|+]]
[[Category:Insect ecology]]
[[Category:Garden plants|+]]
[[Category:Beekeeping]]
[[Category:Bird feeding]]
[[Category:Bird food plants|+]]
[[Category:Butterfly food plants|+]]
[[Category:Crops]]
[[Category:Sustainable gardening]]
[[Category:Sustainable agriculture]]