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Anthorrhiza chrysacantha

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Photo by Andreas Wistuba.


Photo by Andreas Wistuba.

Author:  C.R. Huxley & M.H.P. Jebb, 1991
Family:  RUBIACEAE
Origin:  Morobe: Wau in Papua New Guinea
Soil:  No; Epiphytic - Moss
Water:  Maximum
Sun:  Minimum - Medium
Thickness:  30 Centimetres
Height:  50 Centimetres
Flower:  White
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  -
Synonyms:  -

This member of the Rubiaceae family was given this name by Camilla Rose Huxley and Matthew H. P. Jebb in 1991. It is found in Morobe: Wau in Papua New Guinea, growing as an epiphyte with quite some water and some sun. The rather flat caudex can grow to 30 centimetres in diameter, twelve centimetres high. The one or even three un-branched stems can teach 45 centimetres. The flowers are white to greenish white, the fruits are yellow-orange.

The genera name from Green anthos; 'flower' and rhiza; 'root' for the root-derived spines around the flowers. The specific name draws attention to the large golden spines which readily distinguish this species from A. caerulea in the field, which tends to be more blackish brown.

Huxley & Jebb's key to the Anthorrhiza genera can be found on the Anthorrhiza areolata page.

A key to the genera of the HYDNOPHYTTNAE is found on the Myrmecodia alata page.


Excellent d
rawing by Derrick Rowe.