Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

Balanophora

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Kingdom
  
Plantae

Family
  
Balanophoraceae

Order
  
Santalales

Rank
  
Genus

Balanophora parasiticplantssiueduBalanophoraceaeimagesBal

Similar
  
Balanophora laxiflora, Balanophora fungosa, Balanophora coralliformis, Santalales, Balanophora tobiracola

Balanophora malaysia 20121109 101420 m2ts


Balanophora is a genus of about 100 species of parasitic plants in the family Balanophoraceae found in parts of tropical and temperate Asia, including the Malesia region, Pacific Islands, Madagascar, and tropical Africa. Of these 19 are accepted species names (without a newly discovered species B. coralliformis). Many species emit an odour which possibly attracts pollinators in the same way that pollinators are attracted to Rafflesia.

Contents

Balanophora species are used in folk medicine in many Asian cultures. For example, in China, Balanophora is known as she-gu (stone-fungus) and in Thailand as hoh-ra-tao-su-nak. In both cases, the plant is used to treat a variety of ailments. The tubers of Balanophora are rich in a wax-like substance which is used in Java as a fuel for torches.

Balanophora malaysia 20121109 101159 m2ts


Taxonomy

The genus was first described in 1775 by Johann Reinhold Forster and his son Georg Forster in Characteres Generum Plantarum. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek balanus (βάλανος) meaning "acorn" and phorá (φορά) meaning "crop".


Balanophora Balanophora fungosa Parasitic Plants Online Botanical Society of

References

Balanophora Wikipedia