Balanophora
| Balanophora | |
|---|---|
| |
| Balanophora 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 plants in the family Balanophoraceae found in parts of tropical and temperate Asia, including the Malesia region, Pacific Islands, Madagascar, and tropical Africa.[1] There are about 20 accepted species,[2] 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.[3]
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.[3][4]
Taxonomy
The genus was first described in 1775 by Johann Reinhold Forster and his son Georg Forster in Characteres Generum Plantarum.[5][6] The name is derived from the Ancient Greek words balanos meaning "acorn"[7]: 68 and phoras meaning "bearing".[7]: 187
Species
As of March 2017[update], the following species are accepted:[2]
- Balanophora abbreviata Blume
- Balanophora coralliformis Barcelona, Tandang & Pelser[8]
- Balanophora cucphuongensis Ban[9]
- Balanophora dioica R.Br. ex Royle
- Balanophora elongata Blume
- Balanophora fargesii (Tiegh.) Harms
- Balanophora fungosa J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (type species)
- Balanophora harlandii Hook.f.
- Balanophora involucrata Hook.f. & Thomson
- Balanophora japonica Makino
- Balanophora latisepala (Tiegh.) Lecomte
- Balanophora laxiflora Hemsl.
- Balanophora lowii Hook.f.
- Balanophora nipponica Makino
- Balanophora papuana Schltr.
- Balanophora polyandra Griff.
- Balanophora reflexa Becc.
- Balanophora subcupularis P.C.Tam
- Balanophora tobiracola Makino
- Balanophora wilderi Setch.
- Balanophora yakushimensis Hatus. & Masam.
The following names are unresolved:[2]
- Balanophora capensis Eckl. & Zeyh. ex Eichler
- Balanophora dentata Tiegh.
- Balanophora pierrei Lecomte
References
- ^ "Balanophora J.R. Forst. & G. Forst". Tropicos.org.Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
- ^ a b c "Search results for Balanophora". The Plant List. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- ^ a b Jin, Chee Beng; Hoo, Lau Kah (2010). "Balanophora:the hidden highland parasite with unexplored medicinal potential". Malaysian Naturalist: 20–21. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- ^ "Balanophoraceae". Flora Malesiana. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- ^ "Balanophora". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
- ^ Forster, Johann Reinhold; Forster, Georg (1775). Characteres Generum Plantarum. London: White, Cadell & Elmsly. p. 99. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
- ^ a b Brown, Roland Wilbur (1956). The Composition of Scientific Words. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press.
- ^ Balanophora coralliformis (Balanophoraceae), a new species from Mt. Mingan, Luzon, Philippines
- ^ Those Who do not Chlorophyll Lithophytic
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