Introduction
Rubiaceae
Asclepiadaceae
Nepenthaceae
Bromeliaceae
Orchidaceae
Polypodiaceae
Ecology and
evolution
Cultivation
References
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Introduction
Mutualistic relationships between ants and plants have four basic
components. The plants, known as myrmecophytes, provide food or shelter to the ants. The ants
provide protection or nutrients to the plant. Of particular interest are those plants which possess
domatia, specialized structures that house ant colonies. In many cases, the domatia are capable of
absorbing nutrients from insect parts and other debris dumped by the ants. Thus, these plants are
known as ant-fed ant-house plants. The best known of these ant plants are epiphytes from southeastern
Asia and South America.
Several species of epiphytic ant-house
plants are in cultivation, though none are common. Although the specific ant inhabitants do not
usually accompany the plants into cultivation, native ants may take up residence in cultivated plants
with varying degrees of success (Kimnach, 1996; Jolivet, 1996). This website covers the species of
ant-fed ant-house plants that are most likely to be seen in botanical gardens or offered for sale by
nurseries. The majority are epiphytes, although two terrestrial plants which combine myrmecophily
with carnivory, Nepenthes bicalcarata and Brocchinia reducta, will also be described.
Species for which protection from herbivores is the primary benefit derived from their ant inhabitants
are not be covered in this web site.
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