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Balanophora
Genus of flowering plants / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Balanophora is a genus of parasitic flowering plants in the family Balanophoraceae found in parts of tropical and temperate Asia, including the Eastern Himalayas,[1] Malesia region, Pacific Islands, Madagascar, and tropical Africa.[2][3] There are about 20 accepted species,[4] including the newly discovered B. coralliformis. Many species emit an odour which possibly attracts pollinators in the same way that pollinators are attracted to Rafflesia.[5]
Balanophora | |
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Balanophora fungosa subsp. indica found in northwest Thailand (Hup Patad cave) | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Santalales |
Family: | Balanophoraceae |
Genus: | Balanophora J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. |
Type species | |
Balanophora fungosa | |
Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms | |
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Balanophora species are used in folk medicine in many Asian cultures.[3] For example, in Taiwan and 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 and has various ritual purposes. The tubers of Balanophora are rich in a wax-like substance which is used in Java as a fuel for torches.[5][6]