Translocation of assimilates in Fritillaria imperialis L. 1. The secretion of 14C-labelled sugars by the nectaries in relation to phyllotaxis

l4C02 was supplied to single leaves at various heights along the axis of flowering Fritillaria imperialis plants. The movement of the 14C-labelled assimilates from the lower leaves was mainly towards the bulb, and from the higher ones mainly towards the flower-bearing shoot part. The nectar always contained equal am ountsof glucose and fructose, of which the 14C-labelled forms were predominantly collected from the nectaries of the flower that was on the same orthostichy as the 14C02-treated leaf. It is concluded that the five orthostichies which can be distinguished morphologically reflect five largely, but not completely, separated pathways of translocation of assimilates in the shoot of this plant species.