Nectar

in Greek mythology, the drink of the gods on Mount Olympus. Ambrosia was their food. Homer describes nectar as a fragrant, sweet, red drink, resembling wine. It was tendered by Hebe and conferred immortality. By the botanist and bee-keeper the term is given to the sweet juice secreted by many flowers. It is the material of which bees make honey. It is stored up in glands known as nectaries, found usually at the base of the stamens. Sometimes the nectar seems to ooze from a surface, having no special glands. So far as plants are concerned nectar allures bees, wasps, bumblebees, and other insects. In their search for nectar they become dusted with pollen and carry it to the pistils of near-by flowers of the same kind, effecting what is called cross-fertilization. See Honey