Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
myrmecophytic

myrmecophytic

9.9
Of plants that live with ants and give them shelter or food
  • adjective
  • /ˌmɜːrmɪkəˈfɪtɪk/
  • Specialized
: mirmecofítico
  • The myrmecophytic adaptation of the plant provides shelter for an ant colony in exchange for protection.

Examples

  • The myrmecophytic adaptation of certain plants allows them to offer shelter to ant colonies, which in turn protect the plants from herbivores.

  • Some orchids are known for their myrmecophytic relationships, housing ants within their structures.

  • Botanists are studying several myrmecophytic species in the tropical rainforest ecosystem.

  • The myrmecophytic relationship benefits both the plants and the ants.

  • Many myrmecophytic plants provide shelter to ants.

  • Botanists are studying several myrmecophytic species in the tropical rainforest, which demonstrate their mutualistic association with ants.

  • Some orchids are known for their myrmecophytic relationships, providing safe havens for ants while gaining nutrients in return.

Synonyms

myrmecophilous
vsmyrmecophytic
  • Specialized
9.9

A living thing that lives with ants and often gives or gets help from them

relates specifically to plants that form mutual partnerships with ants

Surface Forms

myrmecophytic positive

Morphology

myrmecophytic = myrmecophyte (opaque) = myrmecophyte + ic

The immediate base is a specialized technical noun built from Greek combining forms unfamiliar to average learners, so the adjective formation is not readily interpretable by B1 learners.

Etymology

Myrmecophytic breaks into Greek parts myrmeco- 'ant' and -phytic 'plant', so it literally means an 'ant-plant'. A myrmecophytic plant lives with or houses ants, often giving them shelter while the ants protect the plant.