I believe, this is the elusive Hydnophytum mamberamoense or a related species. Unfortunately, the type specimen is quite incomplete, so I am a bit reluctant to call it H. mamberamoense.However having seen the species in the field, I am quite sure that this is neither a Hydnophytum, nor a Myrmecodia but rather belongs into a yet to be described new genus of Hydnophytinae!This strange species from the southern coast of Irian Jaya does not really fit into any of the other genuses of Hydnophytinae. At first sight, the caudex looks Myrmecodia-like but appears to be less organanized and very irregular. The inflorescence does not fit into Myrmecodia either. Very interesting!
For the first time I have some beautiful plants grown from seed for sale.The tubers are about 2-3 cm in diameter. Hydnophytum guppyanum is the closest relative of Hydnophytum kajewskii. Both species are nowadays rather assigned to the genus Squamellaria due to phylogenetic studies.
Ant plant specialist Matthew Jebb calls this "...the most sophisticated tuber structure, which must rank as one of the most sophisticated and bizarre vegetative structures in the entire plant kingdom..." Unique!
Very unusual species! The plants grow terrestrially. Often the caudex is completely hidden under the soil surface. Striking are the bluish leaves which are silvery iridescent in young plants.In culture the plants grow well in coarse peat substrate although they were found in nature on ultrabasic soils.
Absolutely spectacular!!!Offered for the first time ever.The caudex of this species can reach a length of 1,5 to 2 meters andeasily matches the body of a human hanging down from the trees in size and dimensions.Easily the biggest Hydnophytum I've ever seen!Leaves are round, almost circular and blueish.A new genus?
