Balanophoras, Balanophoraceae, are parasitic plants related to Sandlewoods and Mistletoes found in tropical and temperate Asia, tropical Africa, Madagascar, the Comoros
Islands, tropical Australia and various Pacific islands. They are root parasites,
deriving sustenance from other plants, with most species consisting of tuberous
root subterranean systems detectable only when they produce flowers, which do
project above the ground. Blanophora plants have distinct sexes, each producing either male or female flowers. There are currently fifteen described species within the single genus Balanophora,
though a recent study in Japan has suggested that morphological similarity
within the group hides a considerable amount of genetic variability, and that a
number of cryptic species (species which resemble other species so closely that
they cannot be differentiated by normal physical inspection, but which are
nevertheless reproductively isolated) may be present within the group.
In a paper published in the
journal Phytotaxa on 4 June 2015, Pieter Pelser of the School of Biological
Sciences at the University of Canterbury, Danilo Tadang of the Philippine National Herbarium at the Botany Division of the National Museum of the Philippines, and Julie Barcelona, also of the School of Biological Sciences at
the University of Canterbury, describe a new species of Balanophora from the southwestern slopes of Mount Mingan on Luzon
Island in the Philippines.
The new species is named Balanophora coralliformis, in reference
to its appearance, which is Coral-like with numerous above-ground branching
tubers, with a course texture and scattered stellate (star-shaped) warts,
forming clumps rising up to 30 cm above the ground.
Balanophora coralliformis growing pistillate (female)
plant. Pelser et al. (2015).
Balanophora coralliformis is known only from a single area between
about 1465 m and 1725 m above sea level in mossy montane forest on the
southwestern flanks of Mount Mingan. Only about 50 specimens were observed,
growing in an area that currently lacks any protected status, and which is
prone to illegal logging and slash-and-burn agriculture, although the region
has not been well explored by botanists, and the species may be present in
other areas. Given the lack of protection for the site and small number of
specimens observed, Pelser et al. recommend
that Balanophora coralliformis is
considered to be Critically Endangered under the terms of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. They
also observe that the lower slopes of Mount Mingan are also home to a variety
of other rare species, such as Rafflesia
lagascae and the Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga
jefferyi, and that as such recommend that the area should be classified as
a Protected Area by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources.
Branching above ground tubers and staminate (male) inflorescence of Balanophora coralliformis. Pelser et al. (2015).
See also…
Orchids of the genus Gastrodia are found across temperate and tropical Asia, Oceania and Madagascar. They are mycoheterotrophs; parasitic plants which obtain nutrients and sugars from Mycorrhizal Fungi (Fungi which normally form symbiotic...
Thismias (Thismiaceae) are a small group of Parasitic Plants found throughout the tropics, with a few temperate species known from North America, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. They parasitize the...
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