Balanophora fungosa

Male inflorescence of Balanophora fungosa ssp. indica var. indica (Note: ssp. = subspecies; var. = variety). Balanophoraceae is a subtropical to tropical family of obligate parasitic flowering plants. The plants are normally found in moist inland forests growing on tree roots and have an aboveground inflorescence with the overall appearance of a fungus, composed of numerous minute flowers. The inflorescences develop inside the tuberous underground part of the plant, before rupturing it and surfacing.