If you would like to support this site, please consider Donating.
Useful Tropical Plants

Balanophora fungosa

J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.

Balanophoraceae


The subspecies Balanophora fungosa indica (Arn.) B.Hansen is recognised by some authorities, such as the flora of China[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
], as a distinct species, B. indica (Arn.) Griff. If this treatment is followed, then B. Indica globosa (Jungh.) Bân would be the correct name for the species mentioned in [
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
] as having tubers containing wax[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Balaniella globosa (Jungh.) Tiegh.

Balaniella junghuehnii Tiegh.

Balaniella ramosa (Fawc.) Tiegh.

Balanophora decurrens Fawc.

Balanophora gigantea Wall.

Balanophora globosa Jungh.

Balanophora micholitzii Ridl.

Balanophora ramosa Fawc.

Langsdorffia indica Arn.

Common Name:

Balanophora fungosa
A clump of the flowering plant
Photograph by: Wrigley, J.
Image credit to Australian National Botanic Gardens
Balanophora fungosa Balanophora fungosa Balanophora fungosa Balanophora fungosa

General Information

Balanophora fungosa is a fleshy, leafless herb that is total parasitic on the roots or rhizomes of various host species[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. A perennial plant growing from a tuberous rootstock, it grows up to 15cm tall[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].
The roots of at least one form of this plant are harvested locally for their wax, which is used for lighting purposes.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

451
Title
Flora Malesiana Series 1
Publication
 
Author
Various
Website
http://www.archive.org
Publisher
Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar and through southeast Asia to New Guinea and the Pacific.

Habitat

Evergreen rainforests at elevations up to 2,600 metres[
451
Title
Flora Malesiana Series 1
Publication
 
Author
Various
Website
http://www.archive.org
Publisher
Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
].

Properties

Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitPerennial
Height0.12 m
PollinatorsApomictic
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The tubers contains a sticky wax (balanophorin)[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. The wax is often present in great quantity[
451
Title
Flora Malesiana Series 1
Publication
 
Author
Various
Website
http://www.archive.org
Publisher
Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
]. It is used for illumination and candles[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. The cylindrical tubers are about 30 - 80mm long by 12 - 14mm wide[
451
Title
Flora Malesiana Series 1
Publication
 
Author
Various
Website
http://www.archive.org
Publisher
Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet
].
The above record is for the sub-species B. fungosa indica var globosa (Jungh.) B.Hansen[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-03. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Balanophora+fungosa>

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.