Balanophora
Content
Description
Monoecious species have bisexual inflorescences with the ♂ flowers intermixed with the ♀ flowers or in a zone below and/or above the ♀ part.
Leaves 2-40, broad-based, whorled, opposite, distichous or spirally arranged.
Inflorescence spadix-like, terminating the stem.
Flowers unisexual, pedicellate or not.
Fruit indehiscent, nut-like.
Distribution
Africa: Congo (Congo present), Asia-Tropical, Comores present, Madagascar present, Pacific Islands present, Tropical Africa present, temperate to tropical Asia present, tropical Australia present
About 15 species in temperate to tropical Asia, throughout Malesia, Pacific islands, tropical Australia, Comores, Madagascar, and tropical Africa (Congo).
Notes
In no case have unisexual inflorescences of both sexes been observed to appear from one tuber. However, careful examination is necessary, when two seeds have germinated close to each other on the same root-tip, one producing a male plant, the other a female plant: such a case was observed in B. fungosa subsp. indica.
Dwarf specimens parasitizing extremely tiny roots were observed in B. fungosa subsp. indica. They probably occur in other species too, but are easily overlooked.
Dwarf specimens parasitizing extremely tiny roots were observed in B. fungosa subsp. indica. They probably occur in other species too, but are easily overlooked.
Citation
EICHL. 1873 – In: DC., Prod. 17: 143
HARMS 1935: p. 329. – In: E. & P., Nat. Pfl. Fam., ed. 2, 16b: f. 166-168
Bl. 1827: En. Pl. Jav.: 86
Hook.f. 1880 – In: B. & H., Gen. Pl. 3: 235
BOERL. 1900 – In: Handl.: 183
Miq. 1859 – In: Fl. Ind. Bat.: 1064
JUNGH. 1841: pp. 201-228. – In: Nov. Act. Ac. Caes. Leop.-Car.: t. 1-2
HANSEN 1972: p. 84. – In: Dansk Bot. Ark.: a complete monograph, 188 pp.
TIEGH. 1907 – In: Ann. Sc. Nat. Bot.: 144
GOEPP. 1842: pp. 231-272. – In: Nov. Act. Ac. Caes. Leop.-Car.: t. 1-3