Myrmecodia lamii
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Myrmecodia lamii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific 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) epiphytic, or sometimes terrestrial plant in the gardenia family Rubiaceae native to New Guinea.[1] It has 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 cm (28 in) height by up to 45 cm (18 in) wide, by far the largest known hypocotyl.[2] The total height of the plant, including the black and white ringed branches, comes to 120 cm (47 in). The flowers are white or pale blue.[3]The species was described in 1945 by Merrill and Perry.[4] The type specimen was collected by Australian-American botanist Leonard John Brass at Lake Habbema on his 1938-39 expedition to New Guinea.[5] The species was named after Herman Johannes Lam.[4]
