Balanophora
| Balanophora | |
|---|---|
| Balanophora fungosa subsp. 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 flowering plants in the family Balanophoraceae distributed from tropical Africa and Madagascar, through South and Southeast Asia, Japan, Queensland and the islands of the western Pacific. There are over 20 accepted species. Many species emit an odour which possibly attracts pollinators in the same way that pollinators are attracted to Rafflesia. The tiny flowers produce some of the smallest seeds known, weighing as little as 7 micrograms each.