Myrmecophyte

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Myrmecodia tuberosa
Myrmecodia tuberosa
Hydnophytum formicarum and Myrmecodia echinata, two myrmecophytes
Hydnophytum formicarum and Myrmecodia echinata, two myrmecophytes

A myrmecophyte or ant plant is a plant that lives in association with a colony of ants and possesses specialized organs in which the ants live.

For example, Myrmecodia, an epiphytic plant from Malaysia, develops root tubers containing a network of cavities inhabited by ants.

Several species of Acacia from tropical America have specialized hollow thorns for the same purpose. American acacia trees also offer carrot-like growths at the tips of their leaflets-a specialized food for the growing Pseudomyrmex larvae. This is probably a symbiotic relationship, with the ants helping to protect the plant from other insect pests and in return receiving shelter.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:


This ant–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
This ecology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
Languages