Dischidia major (Vahl) Merr.

Family		Apocynaceae
Synonyms		Dischidia rafflesiana Wall., Dischidia timorensis Decne.
Common Names		Malayan Urn Vine, Ant Plant, Rattle Sculls
Status		Native: Least Concern
Form		Climber
Native Distribution		Indochina, Malesia, Papua New Guinea, Queensland

Diagnostics:

A climber that can be found in inland rainforests, coastal regions and mangroves, Dischidia major can be easily identified from its two forms of fleshy leaves. The first the normal one, are circular with a small drip-tip; while the other is a enlarged, elongated and somewhat tongue-like.

Interesting Facts:

The modified enlarged leaf form is hollow in the inside, and often used by ants to nest within; serving a mutualistic relationship, the ants protecting the plant from herbivores in return for a home.

Author: Siyang
Posted: 2019-01-03