Curious to find this Ant Plant (Dischidia Pectinoides) on sale for S$4.90 in one of the florist shop in Tampines, decided to buy it and bring it home to hang it on the telephone conduit pole in my terrace patio.
The Dischidia is a close relative of hoya. It uses the bags to trap ants. It is sometimes known as "Ant Vine".
They are air plants and should not grown in soil. The origin of the plant is the Philippines.
Its light requirement is bright shade and it flowers throughout the year.
It is a curious little climber. Some of its leaves look like tiny balloons. In nature, the balloon type leaves provide shelter for ants in exchange for carbon dioxide.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Ant Plant - Dischidia Pectinoides
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3 comments:
I bought this plant for my daughter 7 years ago who lives on Lantau Island HK and have just found the name of it.It is still hanging and flourish-
ing in her outside garden. I'm hoping to find a source here in S. Carolina
USA.It is incredibly unique. Your photos of it are perfect!,just as I remember it. The problem is finding such a beauty there and not being able to bring it home.
The seeds are easily posted by mail. They are tiny and easy to germinate. Ask your daughter for some.
Only thing is that you really need some small ants to pollinate the flowers as they don't really open up at all. Took a while before I saw my first seed pod despite the numerous flowers that this plant puts out daily.
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