myrmecophyte
/mɜrˈmɛkəˌfaɪt/
noun
- A plant that lives in a symbiotic relationship with ants, often providing shelter or food in exchange for protection or nutrients.
- Some myrmecophytes have special structures called domatia where ant colonies can nest.
- Myrmecophytes in tropical rainforests rely on ants to defend them from leaf-eating insects.
- The acacia tree is a well-known myrmecophyte that houses ants in its hollow thorns.