{"product_id":"myrmecodia-beccarii","title":"Myrmecodia beccarii","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMyrmecodia beccarii\u003c\/i\u003e is an ant plant native to northeastern Australia. In the wild, it grows in relatively dry areas and has slightly thickened, succulent leaves. It tolerates dry conditions better than other members of the genus \u003ci\u003eMyrmecodia\u003c\/i\u003e and is one of the few species that can also be grown as a houseplant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMyrmecodia beccarii\u003c\/i\u003e develops a largely smooth caudex that is spiny only at the base, with the simple spines arranged in loose rows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs is typical for\u0026nbsp;\u003ci\u003eMyrmecodia\u003c\/i\u003e, the plant usually has only one main stem, which grows longer and thicker over time but branches little or not at all. Very old plants eventually become knobby and develop multiple stems. A striking feature are the so-called alveoli on flowering stems. These indentations in the stem protect the developing, delicate flowers until they are ready to open. The flowers are white, about 5 to 8 mm in size, and remain open for only a few days. After a short time, the flowers develop into elongated, orange fruits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMyrmecodia beccarii\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/i\u003ecan grow to an impressive size. Very old specimens have a caudex up to 50 cm long and 30 cm thick and weigh over 10 kg, although they naturally have many air-filled chambers inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMyrmecodia beccarii\u003c\/i\u003e grows quickly with proper care and is a good ant plant for beginners. The young plants offered here are best cared for in a terrarium or plant display case, but can also be kept as houseplants after acclimatization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout Ant Plants\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMyrmecodia\u003c\/i\u003e are so-called “ant plants” from the rubiaceae family (Rubiaceae). They are widely distributed from Southeast Asia to Australia and from Papua to the Solomon Islands, and typically grow epiphytically on trees. They belong to the myrmecodomic group of ant plants, meaning they provide a nest for ants. Their thickened stem, also known as a “caudex,” is crisscrossed by numerous tunnels and chambers inhabited by specialized ants, mostly of the genus \u003ci\u003ePhilidris\u003c\/i\u003e. The ants do not construct the chambers or the entrances themselves. These are formed solely by the plant, regardless of whether ants are present or not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plant has a mutualistic relationship (beneficial to both parties) with the ants living inside it. The ants protect the plant and their nest, and fertilize it with food scraps, feces, and other “waste.” There are several different types of chambers within the plant: some with smooth walls and others with warty walls. The warty chambers, in particular, are specially adapted to absorb nutrients. The ants use the smooth chambers as living quarters and the warty chambers as a “dumpster,” thereby supplying the plant with nutrients. In some highly specialized ant plants, the ants even pollinate the flowers and plant the seedlings!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver many years, colonies of ants and ant plants spread across a tree, and other ant-associated epiphytes—such as\u0026nbsp;\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.jungle-leaves.de\/?s=hoya\u0026amp;post_type=product\u0026amp;product_cat=0\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eHoya\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.jungle-leaves.de\/?s=dischidia\u0026amp;post_type=product\u0026amp;product_cat=0\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eDischidia\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLecanopteris\u003c\/i\u003e, and orchids—join them. A so-called “\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ant_garden\"\u003eant garden\u003c\/a\u003e” develops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot every ant plant is actually inhabited by ants in nature. There are even numerous species in which ants have never been detected! This also means that no ant plant absolutely requires a colony of ants to survive or grow well. All of our cultivated ant plants are, of course, ant-free! The caudex forms exactly as it does in nature, even without ants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou’ll receive a young plant in a 5.5 cm pot (see image 3 in the gallery).\u0026nbsp;\u003ci\u003eMyrmecodia\u003c\/i\u003e develop so-called “cork-like growths” on their leaves. These are not pests!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jungle Leaves","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":64305954488697,"sku":"Myr006","price":14.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0951\/8389\/6953\/files\/Myrmecodiabeccarii02.jpg?v=1787149748","url":"https:\/\/www.jungle-leaves.de\/en\/products\/myrmecodia-beccarii","provider":"Jungle Leaves","version":"1.0","type":"link"}