MYRMECODIA ALBERTISII

This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Odoardo Beccari in 1884. It is found in Papau New Guinea, growing as an epiphyte with quite some water and some sun. The caudex can grow to 23 centimetres in diameter, 50 centimetres long, the entire plant to 70 centimetres in height with one to three branched stems. The flowers are white, and might have blue or black flakes. The fruits are orange yellow. The genera name means 'ant head'. The species name for L. M. d'Albertis, 1841-1901, an Italian botanist. Huxley and Jebb described two subspecies in 1993; incompta and valida. A key to the genera of the HYDNOPHYTTNAE is found on the Myrmecodia alata page. Drawn by Rosemary Wise.