Myrmecodia lamii

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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]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Blumea Volume 37 Issue 2 (1993) pages 322-323 with illustration