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Myrmecodia tuberosa Jack
| Family Name: | Rubiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Myrmecodia armata DC., Myrmecodia echinata Gaud., Myrmecodia rumphii Becc. |
| Common Name: | Ant Plant, Periuk Hantu, Perutak, Sembuku |
Myrmecodia tuberosa is an epiphytic ant-plant found growing on trees in diverse habitats such as mangrove, swamp and riverine forests. It is distinguished by its swollen tuberous base (up to 40 cm across), resembling a prickly potato, which houses inner cavities that provide shelter for ants. The small white flowers are sunken into the stem, followed by fleshy fruit that ripen through shades of yellow, orange-red to pink, attracting small birds.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub, Epiphyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 40 cm |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Philippines, Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, Maluku, New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Solomon Islands and Australia (Queensland) |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Mountain, Secondary Rainforest, Monsoon Forest, Coastal Forest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Riverine), Shoreline (Mangrove Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Presumed Nationally Extinct (NEx)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is an epiphytic shrub, with stems arising from a swollen tuberous base. The tubers are irregularly round to oblong, up to 40 by 15 cm, and usually with prickles on the outer surface and inner cavities within the tubers. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its opposite, stalked leaves have thinly leathery leaf blades that are elliptic to narrowly drop-shaped or spatula-shaped and 7.5–21 by 2-8.5 cm. The leaf has a leathery texture, acute to acuminate tip, cuneate to gradually tapered base, on long petiole (leaf stalk) of 3-7cm long. |
| Stems | Erect to curved, measuring to about 30 cm long. |
| Flowers | Its flowers are bisexual, white, each with 4 petals, and develop in few-flowered clusters that are sunken into the stem. |
| Fruit | Its fruit is a fleshy drupe that is yellow, orange-red to pink when ripe, egg-shaped to somewhat round, and about 7 mm long. |
| Habitat | It usually grows on trees in mangrove forests along the coast, in lowland to montane, swamp, and riverine forests, up to 2500 m altitude. |
| Associated Fauna | The cavities of its tubers are inhabited by ants. The flowers are most probably pollinated by ants. The seeds are also dispersed by ants, as well as small frugivorous birds. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | The genus Myrmecodia is from the Greek word myrmeco which means with or related to ants, referrring to the ant-inhabited tuber. The species epithet tuberosa is from Latin tuberosus which means tuber-forming, referring to the swollen base of the stem. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Traditional Medicinal Users In West Papua, the tuber can be pounded and used as a poultice to treat swellings. <3> In Lamdong, Vietnam, the tuber is used to treat hepatitis and stomachache. <1> In Indonesia and Malaysia, the tuber is used for treating cancer and tumor, and to reduce the glucose level in the blood. <2>
It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are not currently supported or verified by scientific research. Others: It is cultivated as an ornamental plant. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It may be suitable for parks and roadsides as it is an interesting epiphyte with ornamental form that can be grown on trees. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal Plant, Beachfront / Shoreline, Skyrise / Balcony, Suitable for Hanging Baskets |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting Plant |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Little Water, Occasional Misting |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Shallow Media |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery, Thin |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Obovate, Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute, Acuminate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Caudex |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red, Orange, Pink, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Non-Accessory Fruit |
References
| References | <1> Hanh, N.P., Phan, N.H., Thuan, N.T., Han, T.T., Vien, L.T., Thao, NP., et al. (2016). Two new simple iridoids from the ant-plant Myrmecodia tuberosa and their antimicrobial effects. NatProd Res. 30(18):2071-6. <2> Rasemi, S., Yen, K.H., Ahmad, R., & Hasan, M.H. (2014). Total phenolic contents, antioxidant, anticancer and antidiabetic properties of Myrmecodia tuberosa (Rubiaceae). J. Adv Chem. 9(3):2000-4. <3> Sumardi, Hertiani T., & Sasmito E. (2013). Ant plant (Myrmecodia tuberosa) hypocotyl extract modulates TCD4+ and TCD8+ cell profile of doxorubicin-induced immune-suppressed Sprague Dawley rats in vivo. Sci Pharm. 81(4):1057-69. <4> Wong, K.M. et. al. (2019). Rubiaceae. Flora of Singapore, vol. 13, pp. 199-203. Singapore: Singapore Botanic Gardens, National Parks Board. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 961 |
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| Species ID | 2255 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |