Ant garden

It is a structure made in the tree canopy by the ants that is filled with debris and other organic matter in which epiphytes grow.

Nitrogenous matter is in short supply and the epiphytes benefit significantly from the nutrients in the ant garden.

The plants have evolved various traits to encourage ants to disperse their seeds by producing chemical attractants.

[1] Epiphytic plants that they grow include various members of the Araceae, Bromeliaceae, Cactaceae, Gesneriaceae, Moraceae, Piperaceae and Solanaceae.

[4] The ant Camponotus irritabilis not only plants the seeds of Hoya elliptica in planned locations on its carton nest but also prunes the roots to accommodate its nest chambers and fertilises the areas where it wants extra plant growth to occur.