HYDNOPHYTUM CONFERTIFOLIUM

This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Elmer Drew Merrill and Lily May Perry in 1945. It is found in western New Guinea in Indonesia, growing as an epiphyte with lots of water and some to lots of sun. The caudex can grow five or even ten centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 20 centimetres in height. The flowers are greenish-white while the fruits are red. The genera name after Greek hydnon meaning 'tuber' and phyton meaning 'plant', after the swollen branches. The species is named for the many leaves; Latin conferti; 'closely set with' and - folium; leaves.