Contents
Description
Balanophora Tobiracola is a fascinating parasitic plant that belongs to the family Balanophoraceae. It is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, where it grows on the roots of other plants, such as the Dipterocarpaceae family of trees. The plant has a spherical shape and can grow up to 20cm in diameter. It has no leaves, stems, or roots, and instead relies on a network of underground rhizomes to absorb nutrients from its host plant.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family | Genus ||——–|———|——–|——-|——-|——–|——-|| Eukarya | Plantae | Angiosperms | Magnoliopsida | Santalales | Balanophoraceae | Balanophora |
Appearance
Balanophora Tobiracola has a unique appearance that sets it apart from other plants. It has a round, fleshy, and waxy white or yellowish bulbous structure that is about 2-20cm in diameter. The plant has no leaves, stems, or roots. Instead, it has a network of underground rhizomes that absorb nutrients from its host plant. The plant has no chlorophyll, so it can’t produce its food and relies entirely on its host plant.
Care Guide
Balanophora Tobiracola is a parasitic plant and requires a host plant to survive. Therefore, it doesn’t require any special care or attention. However, if you want to grow it, you need to plant it near Dipterocarpaceae trees, which are its preferred host.
Water
Balanophora Tobiracola doesn’t require any watering since it absorbs nutrients from its host plant.
Fertilization
Balanophora Tobiracola doesn’t require any fertilization since it absorbs nutrients from its host plant.
Soil
Balanophora Tobiracola doesn’t require any soil since it absorbs nutrients from its host plant.
Sunlight
Balanophora Tobiracola doesn’t require any sunlight since it doesn’t have chlorophyll and can’t produce its food.
Hardiness Zones
Balanophora Tobiracola is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and requires a warm and humid environment to grow.
Common Pests & Diseases
Balanophora Tobiracola doesn’t have any significant pests or diseases since it doesn’t have leaves, stems, or roots.
Habitat
Balanophora Tobiracola is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia and can be found in the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. It grows on the roots of Dipterocarpaceae trees in lowland rainforests.
Question and Answer
Q: Can Balanophora Tobiracola grow without a host plant?
A: No, Balanophora Tobiracola is a parasitic plant and requires a host plant to survive.
Q: Does Balanophora Tobiracola have any leaves, stems, or roots?
A: No, Balanophora Tobiracola doesn’t have any leaves, stems, or roots.
Q: What is the preferred host plant of Balanophora Tobiracola?
A: Balanophora Tobiracola prefers to grow on the roots of Dipterocarpaceae trees.
Q: Is Balanophora Tobiracola a rare or endangered plant?
A: Balanophora Tobiracola is not considered a rare or endangered plant species.
Related Plants
– Balanophora coralliformis- Balanophora fungosa- Balanophora laxiflora- Balanophora polyandra
References
– Wikipedia contributors. (2021, June 17). Balanophora. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10:19, July 2, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanophora- Pacheco, L., & Gonzales, P. (2013). Checklist of the Philippine Balanophoraceae. Phytotaxa, 82(1), 1-6. doi: 10.11646/phytotaxa.82.1.1
