Balanophora
| Balanophora | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Balanophora indica found in northwest Thailand (Hup Patad cave) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Santalales |
| Family: | Balanophoraceae |
| Genus: |
Balanophora J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. |
| Type species | |
|
Balanophora fungosa J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. |
|
| Species | |
|
See text |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
See text
Balanophora is a genus 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. There are about 20 accepted species, 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.
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.
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 words balanos meaning "acorn" and phoras meaning "bearing".
As of March 2017[update], the following species are accepted:
The following names are unresolved:
...
Wikipedia