Story behind the art of Linda Powers

Curious Allies: Mutualism in Fungi, Parasites, and Carnivores

The Fifth New York Botanical Garden Triennial

Ant Plant

Myrmecodia enchinata

As soon as I saw the Ant Plant, I knew I had found the perfect curious ally to paint. What an intriguing structure with a variety of textures and collection of thorns! This epiphyte, Myremecodia echinata, is native to southeast Asia and was brought into research nurseries in Minnesota for study. Like other epiphytes, ant plants grow harmlessly on the surface of tree branches and trunks and obtain some nutrition and water through their air roots.

The ant plant’s most significant mutualistic relationship is, of course, with ants. The large, gnarly, tuberous, modified stem of the ant plant conceals naturally-formed cavities much like those in ant hills, underground ant nests, or children’s educational ant farms. Ants access the plant’s complex cavities through small holes and use the network of chambers for housing, nurseries, waste disposal, and even burials. The decomposing material in the waste chambers provides the plant with rich nutrients and water that its air roots cannot supply.

In return, the plant provides shelter to the ants and offers some food sources in exchange for defending it from predators like slugs and fungi. Although the plants and the ants can survive without each other, they thrive together high in the branches of the tropical forests.

As you look around this painting, you will find the waxy, white flowers nestled in hollows along the stems next to the bright-orange, ripe fruits protruding above the flowers. Just a little bright spot of color to catch your eye.

Can you also find the plant’s namesake allies?

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Read more about this artist's work:26th Annual