Myrmecodia tuberosa

• Common Name:
• Family: Rubiaceae Juss.

• Country of Origin: Borneo - Bako National Park
• Habitat:

• Description: Plants form a symbiotic relationship with ants and fungi. Ant plants provide habitats for ant colonies high up into the forest canopy, protecting them from the elements and also predators because of the spines. Hollow, smooth-walled tunnels form within the caudex with external entrance holes, providing an above-ground home for ant colonies. Ants likewise provide defense for the plant and prevent tissue damage. Ant colonies also provide nutrients to the plants by leaving wastes within the tunnels inside the caudex. Special glands lining the tunnels then absorb nutriment for the plant. This symbiosis allows the plants to effectively gather nutrients (via the ants) from a much larger area than the roots ever could cover.²

• Culture: See Plummer, N., Cultivation of the epiphytic ant-plants Hydnophytum and Myrmecodia, Cactus and Succulent Journal 72:142-147 (2000)

Additional images for this accession:

Flowering Data:

Accession Data:

• Accession # 199900291
• Source: Nick Plummer - Duke
• Accession Date: 09-16-1999
• Bench: 3304 - Liliaceae et al...
• Qty: 14 confirmed on 01-31-2013

Classification:

• Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• SubClass: euasterid I
• Order: Gentianales
• SubOrder:
• Family: Rubiaceae
• SubFamily: Rubioideae
• Tribe: Psychotrieae
• SubTribe: Hydnophytinae

References:

1. Plummer, N., Cultivation of the epiphytic ant-plants Hydnophytum and Myrmecodia, Cactus and Succulent Journal 72:142-147 (2000)
2. Wikipedia

data regenerated on Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:52:18 -0400