Myrmecodia lamii

Myrmecodia lamii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Myrmecodia
Species:
M. lamii
Binomial name
Myrmecodia lamii
Merr. & L.M.Perry

Myrmecodia lamii is a myrmecophilous (Ant loving) plant in the Gardenia Family (Rubiaceae) and native to New Guinea, with a greatly swollen hypocotyl region containing numerous tunnels and chambers utilized by certain species of ants as a colony. This hypocotyl can measure up to 70 centimeters (27.5 inches) in height by up to 45 cm ( 17.75 inches) in width; by far the largest known hypocotyl.[1] The total height of the plant, including the blak and white ringed branches, comes to four feet (120 centimeters). The flowers are white or pale blue.[2]

References

  1. ^ Blumea Volume 37 Issue 2 (1993) pages 322-323 with illustration
  2. ^ Bihrmann, "Caudiciforms - Myrmecodia lamii" at https://bihrmann.com/Caudiciforms/subs/myr-lam-subs.asp


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