Category:Myrmecophyte

Myr"me*co*phyte`, n. [Gr. my`rmhx, my`rmhkos, ant + fyto`n plant.] (Bot.)

Defn: A plant that affords shelter and food to certain species of ants which live in symbiotic relations with it. Special adaptations for this purpose exist; thus, Acacia spadicigera has large hollows thorns, and species of Cecropia have stem cavities. -- Myr`me*co*phyt"ic (#), a.