코도난테

코도난테

Codonanthe gracilis

아시난,아시난데스

 

Codonanthe gracilis (Mart.) Hanst.

 

• Common Name:
• Family: Gesneriaceae Dumort.

 

• Country of Origin: South America

 

• Description: Seeds look like ant larvae which prompts ants to carry them into their nest and insert them into the nest wall, where they germinate and thrive.

• Culture: Well drained, moist conditions, bright light and frequent fertilization.

• USDA Zone: 10

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/198500072.html

 

Codonanthe is a New World genus, consists of a dozen or more species of evergreen epiphytic compact creeping vines with rooting along their stems, and scandent herbs or subshrubs with woody, upright stems from Brazil, Guiana, Central America and West Indies. In its own habitat, the plant usually grows in association with tree ant nests. The botanical name comes from the Greek for bellflower. Small red stems held flat or hanging, about 30cm long, with pairs of relatively succulent, hard-surfaced and small round dark foliage. Delicate, pale-pink to white, bell-shaped flowers grow from the leaf axil, either single or in group and always produce in a large number. Flower tube has 2 lips, each with 2 and 3 lobes; which may be white, pink, lilac to deep purple with yellow throat. These delightful waxy flowers are strongly scented. Colorful berry-like fruits appear after flowering. Seeds look like ant eggs or larvae, which are carried to the nest by ants and inserted into the fertile nest wall where they germinate. Seeds that germinate outside a nest tend to grow more slowly.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codonanthe

 

This pretty trailing plant produces dainty, waxy flowers which appear in late Spring and Summer. In the wild, it is a tree-dwelling plant, which favours a close relationship with the residents of aerial anthills: at the base of some of the leaves may be seen red nectary glands which attract the ants. It is thought that they provide a cross-pollination and seed transportation service for the plant. In the home, use this graceful plant in a basket or on a pedestal so that the sweeping stems may be seen to advantage. Grow at a Winter minimum of 10°C (50°F), with an optimum range of 15-30°C (60-86°F). It has been suggested that lack of flowers may be overcome by the provision of a cool Winter rest period: from December to February keep the plant at 10-14°C (50-57°F) in good light.

This plant likes good, but indirect, light: the weak light of the sun in Winter is alright, but keep out of direct sunlight for the rest of the year.

http://www.yourgardeninginfo.com/codonanthe-gracilis