Myrmecophyte (Noun)
Meaning
Plant that affords shelter or food to ants that live in symbiotic relations with it.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The Acacia tree is a type of myrmecophyte, providing shelter to ants in exchange for protection from herbivores.
- Some species of myrmecophytes produce nutrient-rich mounds or domatia, offering ants a better place to live.
- The Cecropia tree is a tropical myrmecophyte that has a unique relationship with ants, providing them with food in exchange for protection.
- Macroaleurites keekleri is an ancient fossil myrmecophyte, which dates back to the Eocene epoch.
- Ants that live among the leaves of the epiphytic myrmecophyte Tillandsia have their roots protected by the plant while helping with air-borne nitrates.