Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant)

Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) brown tuber and green leaves with yellow fruit plant
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) grows from brown tuber with green leaves and yellow fruit

Botanical name: Hydnophytum sp.

Common name: Ant Plant

Family: Rubiaceae

Origin: Southeastern Asia

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-10

Small plant 2-5 ftPlant with caudexPlant form: Small; plant with caudex
Plant mature sizeMature height: 2-5 ft
Semi-shadeShadeSun exposure: Semi-shade; shade
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Watering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Moderate
White, off-white flowersFlower color: White and off-white
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsWildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Hydnophytum provide habitats for ant colonies high up into the forest canopy, protecting them from the elements and also predators because of the spines. 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.

Species:

Hydnophytum formicarum

Hydnophytum moseleyanum

Hydnophytum papuanum

Similar plants: Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant)


Image gallery: 13 images
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) green swollen stem plant close up with woody texture
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) with round swollen stem and deep natural holes for survival.
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) gray swollen base and green leaves on hanging wooden basket
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) with a textured bulbous gray base growing inside a wooden basket.
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) green plant with thick stems and small yellow fruit clusters
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) stems with smooth green leaves and tiny yellow fruit attached
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) brown swollen caudex with green leaves in hanging clay pot.
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) with large brown swollen base suspended in a clay pot container.
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) with red fruit on thick green woody stems, close up.
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) bearing small red fruit among thick green stems and waxy leaves.
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) green plant with tiny orange fruit on woody stems
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) stems with many green leaves and small round orange fruit
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) green plant with thick woody caudex and oval leaves
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) grows with a swollen green base and smooth oval foliage
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) green swollen caudex plant with numerous thin stems and small leaves.
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) grows from a thick tan-green tuberous base with many slender green stems.
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) beige green plant stem with deep textured holes close up
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) thick stem with deep holes and textured beige green surface skin
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) green oval leaves on thick brown woody swollen bulbous stem
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) woody swollen stem with small round green leaves and slender branches
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) green leaves and woody brown base hanging plant closeup
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) woody base attached to a square wooden container with green leaves
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) brown hollow root structure close up with intricate internal maze
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) showing a cross section of the woody root with internal chambers
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) green leaves with thick bulbous stem, close up plant view.
Hydnophytum sp. (Ant Plant) stems grow from a thick bulbous base with smooth green leaves.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/hydnophytum_sp.htm
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