Marcgravia evenia | |
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Conservation status | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Marcgraviaceae |
Genus: | Marcgravia |
Species: | M. evenia |
Binomial name | |
Marcgravia evenia |
Marcgravia evenia is a species of flowering vine in the Marcgraviaceae family. Within this family it belongs to the Galetae group, which is characterized by a long inflorescence axis and boat shaped nectaries [1]. The plant is endemic to Cuba.
Marcgravia evenia relies on Monophyllus, a Cuban nectar-feeding bat,[2] for pollination. This plant that has evolved bowl shaped leaves which act as reflectors for a bat's biosonar [3]. This helps the bats to find the plants with greater ease and hence pollinate them with more frequency. The shape of the leaves also helps to guide the bats in locating the hidden feeders. [4]