Vincetoxicum nakaianum
| Vincetoxicum nakaianum | |
|---|---|
| V. nakaianum whole plant | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Vincetoxicum |
| Species: | V. nakaianum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Vincetoxicum nakaianum K.Mochizuki & Ohi-Toma
| |
Vincetoxicum nakaianum (Japanese tachi-gashiwa) is a species of dogbane in the family Apocynaceae that is native to Japan.[1] Originally discovered in 1937 by Takenoshin Nakai but incorrectly as Cynanchum magnificum, it was rediscovered and described in 2024 by Ko Mochizuki and Tetsuo Ohi-Toma.[2] In 2025, it was discovered that the plant a scent that smells like dying ants – a strategy it uses for attracting flies for its pollination. It is the first plant known to specifically mimic ant odour for reproduction.[3]
References
- ^ Subrahmanyam, Rohini (2025-10-30). "This flower smells like injured ants — and flies can't resist it". Science News. Retrieved 2025-11-04.
- ^ Mochizuki, Ko; Nemoto, Shuichi; Murata, Jin; Ohi-Toma, Tetsuo (2024-10-15). "Vincetoxicum nakaianum (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae), a new species from Japan for Cynanchum magnificum Nakai, nomen nudum". PhytoKeys (247): 191–201. Bibcode:2024PhytK.247..191M. doi:10.3897/phytokeys.247.125070. ISSN 1314-2003. PMC 11496837. PMID 39444562.
- ^ Lyon, Charlie Clare (2025-09-25). "Why one cunning plant stinks of dying ants". Discover Wildlife. Retrieved 2025-11-04.