SQUAMELLARIA THEKII

This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Matthew H.P. Jebb in 1991. It is found in Taveuni island of the Fiji, growing as a very exposed epiphyte with some water and lots of sun. The caudex can grow to 30 centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 60 centimetres in height. The flowers are white.

The genera name refers to the presence of fringed scales, or squamellae, which are produced within the petals in some species. The species name from the Fijian name theke theke nkau for tuber-forming ant-plants, literally meaning ‘testicles of trees’. So far, it is the only plant found, and it might be a hybrid, and not a species. See the key to the species of Squamellaria on the Squamellaria guppyana page. A key to the genera of the HYDNOPHYTTNAE is found on the Myrmecodia alata page.