Balanophora japonica

Balanophora japonica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Santalales
Family: Balanophoraceae
Genus: Balanophora
Species:
B. japonica
Binomial name
Balanophora japonica
Makino 1902
Synonyms
  • Balania japonica Tiegh.
  • Balanophora dioica Unger

Balanophora japonica (Japanese:ツチトリモチ; Chinese:日本蛇菰) is a species of flowering plant species in the family Balanophoraceae. It is endemic to Japan.

Balanophonin is a neo-lignan that can be found in B. japonica. It also contains ellagitannins, lignan glycosides, caffeoyl, coumaroyl, galloyl, hexahydroxydiphenoyl glucoses and the hydrolyzable tannins balanophotannin D, E, F and G that contain an oxidized hexahydroxydiphenoyl (HHDP) group.