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Myrmecodia tuberosa

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A large one from Copenhagen Botanical Garden, and it's caudex, flowers and fruits.


Tiny plants found in the sphagnum.


Drawing of M. t. "papuana" by Eleanor Catherine.


Drawing of M. t. "manusensis" by Eleanor Catherine.

Author:  William Jack, 1823
Family:  RUBIACEAE
Origin:  Northwest Coast; Borneo, East Malaysia, New Guinea, North Australia
Soil:  No, Epiphytic
Water:  Maximum
Sun:  Minimum
Thickness:  15 Centimetres
Height:  75 Centimetres
Flower:  White
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Ant Plant
Synonyms:  Might be a synonym of: Myrmecodia echinata, Charles Gaudichaud-Beaupré, 1830.
Or. Myrmecodia armata, Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, 1830.
Anyway; there are a lot; see below...

This member of the Rubiaceae family was described by William Jack in 1823. It is found in the rainforests of north-west coast of Borneo, east Malaysia, New Guinea and north Australia. It is an epiphyte, needs lots of water but not much sun. The caudex will grow to fifteen centimetres in diameter, the stems can reach for 75 centimetres. The tiny flowers are white, three to four millimetres, and the plant can only be reproduced by seeds.

The genera name means 'ant head'. The species name means 'tuberous'.

SubFamily: Rubioideae
Tribe: Psychotrieae
SubTribe: Hydnophytinae

A key to the genera of the HYDNOPHYTTNAE is found on the Myrmecodia alata page.

And to add some confusion - or clearance, have a look at Eleanor Catherine's great drawings below.

Synonyms:
Lasiostoma tuberosum (Jack) Spreng.
Myrmecodia amboinensis Becc.
Myrmecodia apoensis Elmer
Myrmecodia armata DC.
Myrmecodia bullosa Becc.
Myrmecodia dahlii K.Schum.
Myrmecodia echinata F.Muell.
Myrmecodia echinata Gaudich.
Myrmecodia goramensis Becc.
Myrmecodia hispida A.Rich.
Myrmecodia inermis DC.
Myrmecodia kandariensis Becc.
Myrmecodia lanceolata Valeton
Myrmecodia menadensis Becc.
Myrmecodia muelleri Becc.
Myrmecodia oninensis Becc.
Myrmecodia paucispina Valeton
Myrmecodia peekelii Valeton
Myrmecodia pentasperma K.Schum.
Myrmecodia pulvinata Becc.
Myrmecodia rumphii Becc.
Myrmecodia salomonensis Becc.
Myrmecodia sibuyanensis Elmer
Myrmecodia sorsogonensis Elmer
Myrmecodia tuberosa Becc. ex Treub
Myrmecodia urdanetensis Elmer
Myrmecodia vivipara Warb.


Drawing of M. t. "bullosa" by Eleanor Catherine.


Drawing of M. t. "dahlii" by Eleanor Catherine.


Drawing of M. t. "versteegii" by Eleanor Catherine.


Drawing of M. t. "pulvinata" by Eleanor Catherine.


Drawing of M. t. "salomonensis" by Eleanor Catherine.