HYDNOPHYTUM ALBOVIRIDE

This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Elmer Drew Merrill and Lily May Perry in 1945. It is found in the border highlands between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea on the island of New Guinea. It is growing as an epiphyte with lots of water and some sun. The caudex can grow to 24 centimetres in diameter, five high, the entire plant to 100 centimetres in height. The flowers are greenish-white. The genera name after Greek hydnon meaning 'tuber' and phyton meaning 'plant', after the swollen branches. The species is named for the greenish-white flowers, Latin alba; 'white' and viride; 'green'.