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Squamellaria wilsonii

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Photo by Derrick Rowe from Taveuni Island.


Photo by Derrick Rowe from Taveuni Island.

Author: Odoardo Beccari, 1886
Family:  RUBIACEAE
Origin:  Taveuni Island; Fiji, Bougainville Island; Solomon Islands
Soil:  Epiphytic
Water:  Medium - Maximum
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  25 Centimetres
Height:  60 Centimetres
Flower:  White
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  Ant Plant
Synonyms:  Squamellaria imberbis, Becc.
Squamellaria tenuiflora, Chomicki. 2016.
Hydnophytum wilsonii
Horne ex Baker, 1883.
Hydnophytum longiflorum,
Asa Gray, 1860.
Hydnophytum horneanum,
Becc. 1884. 
Hydnophytum tenuiflorum,
Becc. 1884.
Hydnophytum wilkinsonii,
Horne. 1883.
Myrmecodia imberbis, A.Gray

This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Odoardo Beccari in 1886. It is found on the island of Taveuni in Fiji and Bougainville Island of Solomon Islands, growing as an epiphyte with quite some water and some sun sun. The caudex can grow to 25 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 60 centimetres in height. The flowers are white.

The genera name refers to the presence of fringed scales, or squamellae, which are produced within the petals in some species. The species name after Ernest 'Chinese' Wilson, early 20th century plant collector.

See the key to the species of Squamellaria on the Squamellaria guppyana page.

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