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Fungus Root

Balanophora fungosa

Photo by Andrea Lim
Published on Project Noah
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-16.8112, 145.686

Field Notes

Description:

This small leafless plant is a root-parasite and resembles a fungus with a large rounded head. The 'acorn-shape' is the female inflorescence, to 2 - 3cm. This plant is monoecious, both male and female flowers on the same inflorescence.

Habitat:

Found amongst litter on the forest floor, James Cook University Cairns campus.

Notes:

'Balanophora' means bearing an acorn. Balanophora is an obligate parasitic flowering plant.

Reference Links:

Balanophora fungosa - Overview, Balanophoraceae, Factsheet - Balanophora fungosa subsp. fungosa

Species ID Suggestions

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PublishedMarch 7, 2013

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