Q: Ant plants (Dischidia, Myrmecodia, etc.)


Dischidia rafflesiana A: Ant plants are what people often call those plants that have evolved mutualistic relationships with ants. Usually, the plants provide comfortable little nooks for the ants to live in. The ants, in turn, either bring nutrients (can you say ant poop?) to the plant or fend off competitors or even pests.

The Dischidia plants to the right make strange little pouch-like structures that look like fat pickles. Ants live in the pouches and bring poop and detritus into them. After a while, the plant sends roots into the pouch to absorb the anty-flavored goodness that has accumulated. Although the plants are getting food from, in part, dead ants that might have died within the plant, it really does not seem right to call it carnivorous. But there is no doubt that it is pretty weird.

Use a search engine. Look up Dischidia or Myrmecodia. Enjoy

Page citations: Mabberley, D.J. 1987; Rice, B.A. 2006a.