MYRMEPHYTUM MONILIFORME

This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Camilla Rose Huxley & Matthew H. P. Jebb in 1991. It is found in the western Irian Jaya in Indonesia, growing as an epiphyte in dead trees with quite some water and lots of sun. The caudex can grow to 30 centimetres in diameter, 60 long, the entire plant to 80 centimetres in height. The flowers are light blue.

The genera name from Latin Myrme; 'ant' and Latin -phyto; 'plant'. The species name means 'in the form of a necklace', referring to the alternate swellings and indentions. A key to the genera of the HYDNOPHYTTNAE is found on the Myrmecodia alata page.