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Ant Plant
Hydnophytum sp
0.532829, 123.761
Field Notes
Description:
These epiphytic plants store food and water in a greyish brown caudex that swells and grows spines over time. 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. 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
Habitat:
tropical rainforest
Notes:
I spotted a few of these growing on a recently fallen over tree. There are 3 different specimens in the photos. These are fascinating plants and I was super happy to spot them in the wild. Bogani Nani Wartabone national park.
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