Dischidia is a family of epiphytes from Southeast Asia and Australasia. They are closely related to Hoyas although they are a much smaller plant and the flowers are not as attractive.

Almost all of the species have a close relationship with ants (why they are sometimes called "Ant Plants") with many evolving interesting aspects dealing with attracting them. There are some with pouch-like leaves where ants can build nests. Another type of Dischidia has disk-shaped leaves which press against the trunk which acts as an ant shelter. Two species of Dischidia are not designed to attract ants having either flat thick leaves (D. hirsuta) or having small knob-like leaves along long internodes (D. bengalensis).

Researchers have traced the movement of radioactive carbon and nitrogen atoms from ants to plants which confirms that the plants assimilate matter brought in by the ants.

DISCHIDIAS IN OUR COLLECTION

• Dischidia pectinoides (Phillipine Ant Plant)
• Dischidia pectinoides albo variegatus (Variegated Phillipine Ant Plant)
• Dischidia ovata
• Dischidia nummularia variegata
• Dischidia ruscifolia (Million Hearts)



Our Dischidia ovata