Overview Dischidia are closely related to their sister-genus
Hoya, whose range they overlap in some regions. Unlike
Hoya, the genus
Dischidia is poorly-known and has not been studied as closely.
Ecology Most
Dischidia grow in arboreal ant nests, of various species, and several have developed a
symbiotic relationship with the insects. The plants have even evolved modified leaves to provide the ants housing and/or storage, in exchange for pollination of their blooms. Of these symbiotic adaptations, there are two types of modification to the leaves:
Bullate leaves Three species are known to have evolved
bullate leaves (hollow, bulbous structures housing the plant's root);
Dischidia complex Griff,
Dischidia major (Vahl) Merr. and
Dischidia vidalii Becc. Both produce normal leaves (
cordate in shape) in addition to the bullate ones. These bullate leaves are formed when the outer margins of a leaf stop growing, while the center of the leaf continues to grow. As time progresses, the leaf margins curl under (to close the gap), which creates a small hole.
Imbricate leaves A number of species develop
imbricate leaves, which adhere tightly to the growing surface. The underside of the leaf has a space which is filled with roots, and that the ants take advantage of, such as
Dischidia major,
Dischidia astephana,
Dischidia imbricata and
Dischidia platyphylla, including many more. Plants with this type of growth habit are referred to as
shingling plants, as their leaves will tend to overlap in a row as they climb up a tree, wall, or rock face, giving the appearance of tiles or
roof shingles. This adaptation is evident in many other plant species, especially in the family
Araceae, including
Monstera dubia, some species of
Epipremnum,
Rhaphidophora hayi,
R. cryptantha, and
Scindapsus. Other clear examples of shingling can be found with the growth habits of
English ivy,
Marcgravia, and
Ficus pumila (creeping fig). == Cultivation ==