#Antplants part 3! #platycerium edition (I'm going to make this a two part edition Ant Plants Part 3.1. I have collected quite a variety of #myrmecophytes also known as #antplants. These plants live in a mutually beneficial relationship with a colony of ants. The ants usually get shelter or food In exchange for protection, fertilization(nutrients and pollination), seed dispersal. There are over 100 genera of plants that fall into the #antplant category. From #tillandsia to #platycerium to #acacia. My next couple posts will feature a couple common ant plants and describe their relationship with the ants. P. #ridleyi seen here is a #staghornfern that's shield fronds grow tightly around a tree branch. The resulting ball of dead fronds provides a water tight home for ants high up in the trees. Away from floods and predators. In exchange the ants provide a acidic fertile environment. Most #platycerium create a basket at the top to collect leaf litter and dead bugs for nutrients. The #platyceriumridleyi lives so high up in the trees there isn't much leaf litter so it relies on its relationship with the ants to provide its food. #arockygarden #staghorn #symbiotic #ant #ants #plantnerd #mothernaturerocks #plantsrock #plantart #plantfriends #growart #growfriends (at San Luis Obispo, California)