| Genus Dischidia has 127 species and almost certainly should be lumped into the much larger and better-known genus Hoya. Over a dozen species are grown as houseplants. Dischidia leaves are often succulent, can be hemispheric and hollow, or shell- or urn-shaped making "pitchers" inhabited by water, plant debris, roots, and ants. Compared to most Hoya, Dischidia flowers are much smaller and urn-shaped rather than larger & wheel-shaped; most are white, red or violet. In fact, the leaves rather than flowers are the reason Dischidia plants are cultivated. The fruits are slender and release tiny plumed seeds that in many species attract ants. The plants are grown in acidic compost with perlite, and allowed to climb mossy poles, or in hanging baskets. |
below are 15 Dischidia species that are cultivated:
|
| Dischidia albida Griff. |
| (Propeller Plant or Vine) |
Burma to Malesia.
|
| Dischidia bengalensis Colebr. |
| (Helicopter Plant) |
Nepal to Malesia.
|
| Dischidia formosana Maxim. |
| (Heart Jewelry) |
Taiwan.
|
| Dischidia hirsuta (Bl.) Decne. |
Indochina to Vanuatu.
|
| Dischidia imbricata (Bl.) Steud. |
| (Shingling Ant-Plant. Kidney Plant) |
Indochina to Malesia.
|
| Dischidia major (Vahl) Merr. |
| = D. Rafflesiana Wall. |
| (Rattle Skulls. Malayan Urn Vine. Ant Plant) |
SE Asia. The beautiful illustration below is from Van Houtte's Flore des Serres et des Jardin de l'Europe vol. 15 (1862). It shows regular little leaves, plus the enlarged pouch-like leaves; tiny flowers; seedpods.
|
| Dischidia Merrillii Schltr. |
Philippines.
|
| Dischidia Milnei Hemsl. |
| (Rain of Coins) |
Bismarck Archipelago, Solomon Islands.
|
| Dischidia nummularia R. Br. |
| = D. Gaudichaudii Decne. |
| (String of Nickels. Button Orchid) |
NE India & S China to Australia.
|
| Dischidia Oiantha Schltr. |
| (String of Footballs) |
Philippines.
|
| Dischidia ovata Benth. |
| (Watermelon Leaf or Vine) |
New Guinea to N Australia.
|
| Dischidia platyphylla Schltr. |
Philippines.
|
| Dischidia ruscifolia Decne. ex Benth. |
| (Million Hearts Plant) |
Philippines.
|
| Dischidia sagittata (Bl.) Decne. |
Java.
|
| Dischidia Vidalii Becc. |
| = D. pectenoides (pectinoides) H. Pearsen |
| (Ravioli Plant. Kangaroo Pouch or Pocket) |
Philippines.
|
| As with any genus people grow, some species are more common, others rarer. The best known and most grown Dischidia species are major, nummularia, ovata and ruscifolia. However, various clones / cultivars are circulated by nurseries without species names. This suggests the plants are either hybrids between species, or their specific identity is not known. |
At least two Dischidia species have been reported edible, (major and nummularia) but without details. I think that the plants being small, and often high in trees, their usefulness as food must be minor. Maybe some have enough foliage, that the tender young growth is a worthwhile vegetable. Maybe some have sweet-tasting flowers. Certainly various species are used medicinally. Since Dischidia, like Hoya, is regarded generally as non-toxic, if I acquire the opportunity to taste some Dischidia, I shall. It would be good to know if any taste pleasing even raw --as many greens are rendered palatable only by cooking.
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Dischidia major ; from Van Houtte's Flore des Serres et des Jardin de l'Europe vol. 15 (1862)
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