MYRMECODIA STERROPHYLLA

This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Elmer Drew Merrill and Lily May Perry in 1945. It is found in central to northern Papua New Guinea, growing as an epiphyte or in poor soil with lots of water and some sun. The caudex can grow to twelve centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 60 centimetres in height. The flowers are white.

The genera name means 'ant head'. The species name is from Greek sterros; stiff, firm, and Greek phyllon, 'leaf'. The name was introduced by Elmer Drew Merrill & Lily May Perry in Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 26(1): 28–29. 1945, but that does not explain the name chosen. A key to the genera of the HYDNOPHYTTNAE is found on the Myrmecodia alata page.