MYRMECODIA TUBEROSA

This member of the Rubiaceae family was described by William Jack in 1823. It is found in the rainforests of north-west coast of Borneo, east Malaysia, New Guinea and north Australia. It is an epiphyte, needs lots of water but not much sun. The caudex will grow to fifteen centimetres in diameter, the stems can reach for 75 centimetres. The tiny flowers are white, three to four millimetres, and the plant can only be reproduced by seeds.

The genera name means 'ant head'. The species name means 'tuberous'. SubFamily: Rubioideae Tribe: Psychotrieae SubTribe: Hydnophytinae A key to the genera of the HYDNOPHYTTNAE is found on the Myrmecodia alata page. And to add some confusion - or clearance, have a look at Eleanor Catherine's great drawings below. Lasiostoma tuberosum (Jack) Spreng. Myrmecodia amboinensis Becc. Myrmecodia apoensis Elmer Myrmecodia armata DC. Myrmecodia bullosa Becc. Myrmecodia dahlii K.Schum. Myrmecodia echinata F.Muell. Myrmecodia echinata Gaudich. Myrmecodia goramensis Becc. Myrmecodia hispida A.Rich. Myrmecodia inermis DC. Myrmecodia kandariensis Becc. Myrmecodia lanceolata Valeton Myrmecodia menadensis Becc. Myrmecodia muelleri Becc. Myrmecodia oninensis Becc. Myrmecodia paucispina Valeton Myrmecodia peekelii Valeton Myrmecodia pentasperma K.Schum. Myrmecodia pulvinata Becc. Myrmecodia rumphii Becc. Myrmecodia salomonensis Becc. Myrmecodia sibuyanensis Elmer Myrmecodia sorsogonensis Elmer Myrmecodia tuberosa Becc. ex Treub Myrmecodia urdanetensis Elmer Myrmecodia vivipara Warb. Drawing of M. t. "bullosa" by Eleanor Catherine. Drawing of M. t. "dahlii" by Eleanor Catherine. Drawing of M. t. "versteegii" by Eleanor Catherine. Drawing of M. t. "pulvinata" by Eleanor Catherine. Drawing of M. t. "salomonensis" by Eleanor Catherine.