As one of only a few epiphytic caudiciform plants, this member of the family Rubiaceae, which includes coffee and gardenias, is an extreme oddity of nature. Leathery leaves and narrow branches bearing fleshy fruits grow from an ample caudex, which is set with tiny openings, doorways to a labyrinth of interior chambers.

In nature this fascinating plant maintains a symbiotic relationship with certain ant species that provide protection from predators in exchange for housing. But don’t worry, in cultivation, no native ant species are attracted to it! Found in tropical northern Australia and Papua New Guinea where they grow naturally in nutrient poor areas, often on scrub vegetation. Culture is easy: keep just moist, not wet, and grow in medium to bright light, out of full sun, in a well-draining media. Hanging baskets are ideal.

A bizarre, epiphytic, caudiciform plant native to New Guinea and northern Australia. It belongs to the family Rubiaceae that includes coffee. It has a globular caudex with some bumps but mainly smooth, glossy, skin and many tiny openings that lead to a labyrinth of interior chambers.

The leaves are curled, thick and leathery with a smooth surface, borne on a full crown of small limbs that also bear fleshy fruit. In nature it maintains a symbiotic relationship with ants that make a home in its interior chambers, in exchange for providing food and protection to the plant.

In cultivation, no native ant species are attracted to it. Can be grown potted in loose, well-drained media, or mounted in the fashion of a Platycerium fern, using a thin layer of sphagnum moss. Needs frequent watering, but will not tolerate being constantly wet.

*VIPP offering - plants are ready to be re-potted into a larger basket