In this system, myrmecophily is used to denote ant pollination while some other writers have used the term to refer to the condition of being an ant plant, or myrmecophytism.

It seems appropriate to use the expression myrmecophilous in the broadest sense, comprising both pollination and myrmecophytism and all the plants that exist to attract and to reward ants.

The strongest evidence for ant-plant mutualism comes from the existence of domatia, or plant structures that serve no evident purpose other than to shelter ant colonies.

Domatia increase the density of ants on the plant itself because ants are always quick to take advantage of whatever hollows and crevices plants have to offer.

In most cases the shelters are not true domatia and the ants live as parasites or commensals on the plants or a relationship between organisms of two different species in which one derives food or other benefits from the association while the other remains unharmed and unaffected.