The potato fern, a myrmecophytic species. Inside of its modified rhizomes there was a colony of ants which belongs to some species of Azteca (Formicidae).

The ants fought very hard to defend their house when I was collecting the fern.

A very interesting example of a mutualistic relationship between insects and ferns.

Collection Data ( 5120)

Classification & Common Names

General Collection Data
  • Date: 29-07-2011
  • Primary Collector & #: 5120
  • Collection Party: D. Sanín, P. Pedraza, J. Betancur, M.F. Gonzalez, R. Arévalo, J. Serna & A. Duque
  • Det. History:
  • Habitat: Tropical rainforest
  • Habit: Epiphyte
  • Specimen Locations: COL, HUA, MO, NY
Additional Comments

Epiphytic myrmecophytic fern.

Collection Location