Re: What are the spikes at the inside base of the petals of a lily flower?

The "spikes" at the base of the tepals (in lilies, the sepals and petals are only distingishable upon very close examination, so they are usually lumped together as "tepals") are part of the nectaries which produce fragrance and nectar to attract insects to pollinate the lily flower. Nectaries are present on many flowers, although they are usually difficult to see since they occur deep at the base (recepticle) of the flower, or at the bottom of a spur. However, in many members of the lily family (liliaceae), as in many other monocots, the nectars are quite visible as part of the "honey guide" which brings flying insects to the flower. In these plants, the nectaries are often decorated with fimbrae (fuzz), papillae (spikes), or rugae (folds) which help to hold the nectar in place, and prevent evaporation.