Balanophora fungosa subsp. indica
Balanophora fungosa subsp. indica (Arn.) B.Hansen
Balanophora fungosa subsp. indica is a subspecies of a parasitic flowering plant in the family Balanophoraceae. It grows on the roots of rainforest trees in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and some Pacific islands. The plant produces a globe-shaped structure covered with thousands of tiny female flowers, surrounded at the base by male flowers. In bloom, it emits an odour similar to that of mice.
Description
Balanophora fungosa subsp. indica belongs to the Balanophoraceae family and is a subspecies of Balanophora fungosa. This plant is a root parasite found in tropical regions. Its reproductive structure resembles a puffball but is composed of a globe with numerous female flowers and a smaller number of male flowers at the base. During flowering, the plant releases an odour reminiscent of mice.
Synonyms
Balaniella pedicellarisBalanophora annamensisBalanophora boniiBalanophora burmannicaBalanophora cryptocaudexBalanophora decurrensBalanophora elkinsiiBalanophora fungosa var. indicaBalanophora gracilisBalanophora indicaBalanophora indica var. agastyamalayanaBalanophora indica var. tirunelveliensisBalanophora latipesBalanophora pedicellarisBalanophora pentameraBalanophora pictaBalanophora pictaBalanophora pierreiBalanophora pierreiBalanophora saxicolaBalanophora simaoensisBalanophora splendidaBalanophora thwaitesiiBalanophora typhinaBivolva gracilisLangsdorffia indicaLangsdorffia indicaBalanophora pierrei var. tonkinensisBalanophora typhina