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Balanophora fungosa ssp. indica var. indica
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.
Forest floor, tropical rainforests.
Photographed in the jungles of Pahang-Perak, Malaysia.
4 Comments
Yes, the male inflorescences of B. fungosa ssp. indica var. indica look very much like your photo.
I checked every single one of the pictures, and it seems like B. fungosa ssp. indica var. indica. Can you guys take a look again?
B. papuana seems reasonable. Here's a great resource for Balanophora photos: http://www.parasiticplants.siu.edu/Balan....
Maybe B.papuana