Dischidia nummularia, the String of Nickels, is a fascinating epiphytic vine in the Apocynaceae family that drapes from tree branches in cascading chains of small, round, fleshy leaves resembling strings of coins. An obligate epiphyte that never grows in soil in nature, it is one of the most charming and unusual houseplants, combining easy care with a unique aesthetic.
• The species name "nummularia" derives from Latin "nummus" meaning "coin," describing the round flat leaves
• A true obligate epiphyte—in nature it never grows in soil, spending its entire life on tree bark
• The genus Dischidia contains approximately 80 species, all tropical Asian epiphytes closely related to Hoya
• One of the few epiphytes that thrives as a houseplant, adapting readily to hanging baskets and mounted displays
• In habitat, trailing chains can dangle 2-3 m from tree branches like curtains of living jade coins
\u2022 Dischidia nummularia is one of the so-called "ant-plants" or myrmecophytes, having co-evolved an extraordinary mutualistic relationship with arboreal ants in its native tropical forests of Southeast Asia, India, and northern Australia
\u2022 The plant produces two distinct types of leaves: the flat, round "nickel" leaves visible on trailing stems, and specialized hollow "pitcher leaves" that form shield-shaped structures pressed against the host tree bark, creating enclosed chambers that ant colonies use as nesting sites
\u2022 Inside these hollow pitcher leaves, the plant grows specialized rootlets that absorb nutrients from ant waste and debris, effectively turning the ant colony into a living fertilizer delivery system
\u2022 The round leaves are typically 1-2 cm in diameter and range in color from pale gray-green to bronze, often developing a slightly succulent texture that helps the plant withstand periods of drought
\u2022 In cultivation, the plant produces small cream-colored to pale yellow urn-shaped flowers throughout the year, each measuring only 3-5 mm but attractive to tiny parasitic wasps and other minute pollinators
\u2022 The genus Dischidia contains approximately 80 species, many of which exhibit similar ant-plant associations, and D. nummularia is the most commonly cultivated species due to its trailing habit and unusual leaf morphology
분류학
• Distributed across India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia
• Grows as an epiphyte on tree trunks in lowland and hill tropical rainforests at 0-800 m
• Thrives in areas with 2,000-4,000 mm annual rainfall, 70-95% humidity, and 24-32°C temperatures
• First described by Carl Linnaeus the Younger in 1782
• In India and Sri Lanka, the plant has traditional uses in folk medicine
• Remarkably adaptable for an obligate epiphyte, tolerating a wide range of bark substrates
Stems:
• Slender, trailing and twining, 0.5-2 m, producing fine adventitious roots at each node
• Green to purplish, flexible, sparsely branched
• Roots readily wherever contacting moist surface
Leaves:
• Small, round to slightly ovate, 5-12 mm diameter—genuinely coin-sized
• Fleshy and succulent, bright green to yellowish-green, slightly convex
• Opposite, closely spaced, creating the "string of coins" appearance
• Succulent tissue stores water for dry periods between rains
Flowers:
• Tiny, urn-shaped, 3-4 mm, white to pale yellow-green
• Axillary clusters of 2-5, produced year-round in favorable conditions
Roots:
• Fine adventitious roots at nodes that cling to bark and absorb moisture from humid air
• Adapted for absorbing water from rainfall and organic debris rather than soil
Habitat:
• Grows exclusively on tree bark in canopy and understory (USDA zones 11-12)
• Absorbs moisture and nutrients from rainwater, humid air, and organic debris
• Rarely seen growing in soil in nature
• Often found with orchids, ferns, mosses, and other epiphytes on the same host tree
Water Relations:
• Succulent leaves store water for dry periods between rains
• Fine roots absorb water vapor and capture rainwater flowing down bark
• Tolerates brief desiccation far better than overwatering
Ecological Relationships:
• Related to Hoya, sharing urn-shaped flowers and milky latex sap
• Flowers may be pollinated by small flies and ants
• Trailing stems provide habitat for tiny canopy invertebrates
Light:
• Bright indirect light; avoid direct sun which scorches delicate leaves
• Tolerates medium light but growth will be slower
Growing Medium:
• Very loose, airy epiphytic mix: equal parts sphagnum moss, orchid bark, and perlite
• Or mount directly on moss-wrapped board, bark plaque, or cork slab
• Standard potting soil is entirely unsuitable
• Small containers (10-15 cm) are best; do not overpot
Watering:
• Water when medium approaches dryness; mist regularly for humidity
• When mounted, soak entire mount for 10-15 minutes every 7-10 days
• Never allow to sit in standing water
Humidity & Temperature:
• 18-29°C with humidity above 50%; daily misting is beneficial
• Cold temperatures below 10°C damage foliage
Display:
• Hanging baskets allow natural cascading—stunning at eye level or above
• Mounted specimens create living wall art
• Works well in terrariums and Wardian cases
Propagation:
• Extremely easy from stem cuttings; place on moist sphagnum moss
• Roots form at nodes within 7-14 days
재미있는 사실
Dischidia nummularia possesses one of the most apt botanical names in the plant kingdom along with fascinating adaptations. • The species name "nummularia" from Latin "nummus" (coin) perfectly describes the round flat succulent leaves that look like tiny green coins strung along trailing stems—a literal living string of nickels • An obligate epiphyte that has completely abandoned soil—unlike most "epiphytic" houseplants, this species literally cannot survive in standard potting soil, making it one of the truest epiphytes in cultivation • The genus Dischidia contains some of the most bizarre plants on Earth—several species produce hollow "ant-house" leaves providing shelter for ant colonies in exchange for nutrients from ant waste (myrmecophytism) • The tiny urn-shaped flowers are structurally identical to Hoya flowers in miniature, reflecting the close evolutionary relationship • In traditional Sri Lankan and Indian folk medicine, the "coin leaves" have been used to treat skin ailments and eye infections \u2022 Dischidia nummularia is one of only a handful of plant species that has evolved to farm animal colonies for nutrients, placing it in an elite group of myrmecophytes that includes several ant-plant species in the unrelated genera Hydnophytum and Myrmecodia \u2022 In traditional Chinese medicine, the plant is known as "shuan qian shu" and has been used externally as a poultice for boils and skin inflammation \u2022 The species is remarkably easy to propagate from stem cuttings, rooting readily in sphagnum moss or even suspended in humid air \u2022 The plant\u2019s specialized hollow pitcher leaves represent one of the most extreme examples of leaf modification in the plant kingdom, essentially functioning as miniature greenhouses that house entire ant colonies within their translucent walls
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