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Hydnophytum
Hydnophytum is a genus of epiphytic myrmecophytes (ant plants) native to Southeast Asia, the Pacific region and also extending into Queensland in northern Australia. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek hydnon "tuber", and phyton "plant", after their appearance with their swollen succulent stems. The species grow in tree branches and on trunks. Like the related genus Myrmecodia, they are known as antplants or ant-house plants. The type species is Hydnophytum formicarum from the Philippines. The genus contains 55 species, of which 44 are found in and around the island of New Guinea. Many are poorly known, with 11 known only from the holotype.
They form a symbiotic relationship with ants. Ant plants provide habitats for ant colonies high up into the forest canopy, protecting them from the elements and also predators because of the spines. Hollow, smooth-walled tunnels form within the caudex with external entrance holes, providing an above-ground home for ant colonies. Ants likewise provide defense for the plant and prevent tissue damage, swarming to defend their home if disturbed. Ant colonies also provide nutrients to the plants by leaving wastes within the tunnels inside the caudex. Special glands lining the tunnels then absorb nutriment for the plant. This symbiosis allows the plants to effectively gather nutrients (via the ants) from a much larger area than the roots ever could cover.
40 branches of this genus, most-observed first
Hydnophytum formicarum
speciesHydnophytum formicarum
Hydnophytum moseleyanum
speciesHydnophytum moseleyanum
Hydnophytum radicans
speciesHydnophytum radicans
Hydnophytum archboldianum
speciesHydnophytum archboldianum
Hydnophytum caminiferum
speciesHydnophytum caminiferum
Hydnophytum tortuosum
speciesHydnophytum tortuosum
Hydnophytum papuanum
speciesHydnophytum papuanum
Hydnophytum petiolatum
speciesHydnophytum petiolatum
Hydnophytum microphyllum
speciesHydnophytum microphyllum
Hydnophytum heterophyllum
speciesHydnophytum heterophyllum
Hydnophytum puffii
speciesHydnophytum puffii
Hydnophytum multituberosum
speciesHydnophytum multituberosum
Hydnophytum ferrugineum
speciesHydnophytum ferrugineum
Hydnophytum longistylum
speciesHydnophytum longistylum
Hydnophytum subsessile
speciesHydnophytum subsessile
Hydnophytum tetrapterum
speciesHydnophytum tetrapterum
Hydnophytum virgatum
speciesHydnophytum virgatum
Hydnophytum vitis-idaea
speciesHydnophytum vitis-idaea
Hydnophytum zippelianum
speciesHydnophytum zippelianum
Hydnophytum albertisii
speciesHydnophytum albertisii
Hydnophytum alboviride
speciesHydnophytum alboviride
Hydnophytum bracteatum
speciesHydnophytum bracteatum
Hydnophytum buxifolium
speciesHydnophytum buxifolium
Hydnophytum confertifolium
speciesHydnophytum confertifolium
Hydnophytum decipiens
speciesHydnophytum decipiens
Hydnophytum ellipticum
speciesHydnophytum ellipticum
Hydnophytum grandifolium
speciesHydnophytum grandifolium
Hydnophytum hellwigii
speciesHydnophytum hellwigii
Hydnophytum lauterbachii
speciesHydnophytum lauterbachii
Hydnophytum linearifolium
speciesHydnophytum linearifolium
Hydnophytum lucidulum
speciesHydnophytum lucidulum
Hydnophytum magnifolium
speciesHydnophytum magnifolium
Hydnophytum myrtifolium
speciesHydnophytum myrtifolium
Hydnophytum ovatum
speciesHydnophytum ovatum
Hydnophytum ramispinum
speciesHydnophytum ramispinum
Hydnophytum spathulatum
speciesHydnophytum spathulatum
Hydnophytum stenophyllum
speciesHydnophytum stenophyllum
Hydnophytum longiflorum
speciesHydnophytum longiflorum
Hydnophytum grandiflorum
speciesHydnophytum grandiflorum
Hydnophytum cordifolium
speciesHydnophytum cordifolium
Where it lives
Recorded sightings
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geo-referenced records in GBIF, from museums, herbaria and field observers.
Drag the globe to turn it. Dots are where records exist, not a range map; darker means more records.
In the old herbals & bestiaries
In the stacks
Searching the stacks…
Every page naming Hydnophytum in the Biodiversity Heritage Library →
This page is assembled live from iNaturalist, GBIF, Wikipedia, the Source Library and the Internet Archive. It is not yet part of the hand-edited codex. iNaturalist taxon 425697.