HYDNOPHYTUM CAMINIFERUM

This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Andreas Wistuba, Urs Zimmermann, Thomas Gronemeyer and David Marwinski in 2014. It is found on Vogelkop, Western New Guinea in Indonesia, growing in the mosses on the ground with lots of water and quite some sun. The caudex can grow to 30 centimetres in diameter and 60 centimetres high, the entire plant to 100 centimetres in height. The flowers are white. The genera name after Greek hydnon meaning 'tuber' and phyton meaning 'plant', after the swollen branches. The species is named for the strange structure: Latin caminus; 'chimney': and ferre; 'carrying. Despite the great photos, here are a drawing by Rosemary Wise. Photo by Andreas Wistuba.