 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source .(August 2023) |
| Myrmecodia lamii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Myrmecodia |
| Species: | M. lamii |
| Binomial name | |
| Myrmecodia lamii Merr. & L.M.Perry | |
Myrmecodia lamii is a myrmecophilous (ant-loving) epiphytic, or sometimes terrestrial plant in the gardenia family Rubiaceae native to New Guinea. It has a greatly swollen hypocotyl region containing numerous tunnels and chambers utilized by certain species of ants as a colony. This hypocotyl can measure up to 70 cm (28 in) height by up to 45 cm (18 in) wide, by far the largest known hypocotyl. [1] The total height of the plant, including the black and white ringed branches, comes to 120 cm (47 in). The flowers are white or pale blue. [2] The species was described in 1945 by Merrill and Perry. [3]
