The peculiar external appearance is matched by a truly eerie interior…
Ant Plant, also known as Kinabalu Ant Plant or Ant Nest Plant (scientific name: Hydnophytum Formicarum), is a bizarre species that can be found in the forests of the Central Highlands. This unusual plant typically lives on large woody trees, forming a swollen trunk that appears gnarled from the outside, resembling a deformed tumor on the host tree.
Resembles a deformed tumor on the host tree.
While the external appearance of this plant is peculiar, its interior is truly unsettling. When one slices open this “tumor,” those who are “squeamish” about insects may be shocked to see thousands of ants and ant larvae crawling in a maze of winding tunnels. A closer inspection of the surface of the “tumor” reveals openings that serve as entrances to the ants’ nest.
The Ant Plant is literally an ant nest. It is a rare form of symbiosis between plants and insects that allows them to coexist in nature.
In this relationship, the plant provides a “fortress” for the ants to shelter in and offers water, while the ants bring organic matter and waste, which nourishes the plant, helping to protect it from unwanted guests.
From a young age, the Ant Plant already has a swollen trunk. However, at this stage, it has not yet “partnered” with the ants and merely absorbs nutrients from the host tree. As it grows, the available nutrients gradually diminish, leading to the formation of tunnels within the plant while secreting substances that attract ants to nest there. This symbiosis between the ants and the plant begins at that point.
The Central Highlands ethnic communities have used the Ant Plant as a medicinal remedy.
This unique bond between the Ant Plant and the ants is the result of a long evolutionary process, showcasing the wonders of nature.
For centuries, the ethnic communities in the Central Highlands have utilized the Ant Plant as a remedy for various ailments. Internationally, it is a favored species among plant collectors due to its unusual appearance.
In Vietnam, the natural population of Ant Plants is declining rapidly due to deforestation, overexploitation, and the slow growth rate of this species. It has been classified as endangered in the Vietnam Red Book.
