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Hydnophytum kajewskii

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Photo by Derrick Rowe.


Photo by Derrick Rowe.

Author: E.D. Merrill & Lily M. Perry, 1945
Family:  RUBIACEAE
Origin:  Northern Solomon Islands
Soil:  Epiphytic
Water:  Medium - Maximum
Sun:  Medium
Thickness:  12 Centimetres
Height:  50 Centimetres
Flower:  White
Propagate:  Seeds
Names:  -
Synonyms:  Might be: Squamellaria kajewskii, Guillaume Chomicki, 2016

This odd member of the Rubiaceae family was first given this name by Elmer Drew Merrill and Lily May Perry in 1945. DNA revealed it is a Squamellaria. It is found on the rainforest trees of northern Solomon Islands, growing with plenty water and some sun. The caudex can grow to twelve centimetres in diameter, the entire plant to 50 centimetres in height.

The genera name after Greek hydnon meaning 'tuber' and phyton meaning 'plant', after the swollen branches. The species after S. F. Kajewski, a botanical collector.

Hydnophyttnae KEY. 


Photo by Derrick Rowe.