Elaiophore

A distinction is made in: The oils consist of fatty acids and/or glycerides, but may also contain other components such as aldehydes, amino acids, carbohydrates, carotenoids, hydrocarbons, ketones, phenolic compounds, saponins and terpenes.

Elaiophores occur in the flowers of some families, such as Malpighiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Iridaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Primulaceae and Solanaceae.

Elaiophores can be present on the axial part of the sepals or corollas, on the surface of the lip, at the base of stamens (as in Lysimachia vulgaris) and also on the callus.

The oils secreted by the elaiophores act as attractants for pollinating insects.

Bees of the subfamily Ctenoplectrini have specialized oil-collecting structures such as pads or combs on the ventral thorax or on the front and middle legs.