Balanophora

Balanophora
Balanophora indica found in Northwest Thailand (Hup Patad cave)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core 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
Balania Tiegh. Balaniella Tiegh. Polyplethia (Griff.) Tiegh.

Balanophora is a genus of about 100 species^[1] 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. 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.^[2]

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)= acorn^[3] and Latin phora = bearing.

Selected species

• Balanophora abbreviata
• Balanophora cucphuongensis
• Balanophora dioica
• Balanophora elongata
• Balanophora fargesii
• Balanophora fungosa
• Balanophora harlandii
• Balanophora indica
• Balanophora involucrata
• Balanophora japonica
• Balanophora latisepala
• Balanophora laxiflora
• Balanophora lowii
• Balanophora nipponica
• Balanophora papuana
• Balanophora polyandra
• Balanophora reflexa
• Balanophora subcupularis
• Balanophora tobiracola
• Balanophora wilderi
• Balanophora yakushimensis

References