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 | |
|
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 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]
The genus was first described in 1775 by Johann Reinhold Forster and his son Georg Forster in Characteres Generum Plantarum. [7] [8] The name is derived from the ancient Greek words balanos (βάλανος), meaning "acorn" and pherein (φέρειν), meaning "to carry". [9]
As of January 2023 [update], the following species are accepted at Plants of the World Online: [4]
Balanophora yuwanensis, "often considered the same species as B. yakushimensis", is thought to provide the endangered dark-furred Amami rabbit ( Pentalagus furnessi) of the Ryukyu Archipelago with vegetative tissues as a reward for seed dispersal. Previously, it had been a mystery how seeds of B. yuwanensis were dispersed. [10] [11]
Balanophora | |
---|---|
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 | |
|
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 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]
The genus was first described in 1775 by Johann Reinhold Forster and his son Georg Forster in Characteres Generum Plantarum. [7] [8] The name is derived from the ancient Greek words balanos (βάλανος), meaning "acorn" and pherein (φέρειν), meaning "to carry". [9]
As of January 2023 [update], the following species are accepted at Plants of the World Online: [4]
Balanophora yuwanensis, "often considered the same species as B. yakushimensis", is thought to provide the endangered dark-furred Amami rabbit ( Pentalagus furnessi) of the Ryukyu Archipelago with vegetative tissues as a reward for seed dispersal. Previously, it had been a mystery how seeds of B. yuwanensis were dispersed. [10] [11]