Balanophora Explained

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. 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.[6]

Taxonomy

The genus was first described in 1775 by Johann Reinhold Forster and his son Georg Forster in Characteres Generum Plantarum.[7] The name is derived from the ancient Greek words, meaning "acorn" and, meaning "to carry".[8]

Species

, the following species are accepted at Plants of the World Online:

Ecology

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.[9] [10]

Notes and References

  1. O'Neill . Alexander . Rana . Santosh. 2018-07-26 . Root holoparasite Balanophora polyandra Griff. (Balanophoraceae) in eastern Himalaya (Sikkim, India): distribution, range, status and threats . Journal of Threatened Taxa . 10 . 8 . 12123–12129 . 10.11609/jott.3644.10.8.12123-12129. free .
  2. Web site: Balanophora J.R. Forst. & G. Forst.. Tropicos.org.Missouri Botanical Garden. 26 January 2015.
  3. O'Neill . A.R.. Rana . S.K. . 2019 . An ethnobotanical analysis of parasitic plants (Parijibi) in the Nepal Himalaya . Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine . 12 . 14 . 14 . 10.1186/s13002-016-0086-y . 26912113 . 4765049 . free .
  4. Web site: Search results for Balanophora. The Plant List . 26 May 2020 .
  5. Jin. Chee Beng. Hoo. Lau Kah. Balanophora:the hidden highland parasite with unexplored medicinal potential. Malaysian Naturalist. 2010. 20–21. 30 March 2017.
  6. Web site: Balanophoraceae. Flora Malesiana. 30 March 2017.
  7. Book: Forster. Johann Reinhold. Forster. Georg. Characteres Generum Plantarum. 1775. White, Cadell & Elmsly. London. 99. 22 April 2016.
  8. Backer, C.A. (1936). Verklarend woordenboek der wetenschappelijke namen van de in Nederland en Nederlandsch-Indië in het wild groeiende en in tuinen en parken gekweekte varens en hoogere planten (Edition Nicoline van der Sijs).
  9. A non-photosynthetic plant provides the endangered Amami rabbit with vegetative tissues as a reward for seed dispersal . 10.1002/ecy.3972 . 2023 . Suetsugu . Kenji . Hashiwaki . Hiromu . Ecology . 104 . 4 . e3972 . 36691102 . 2023Ecol..104E3972S . 256193188 .
  10. News: Science News. New discovery: Endangered Amami rabbit disperses seeds for non-photosynthetic plant . 12 February 2023 . Science Daily . 23 January 2023.

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