Balanophora -root parasite

Balanophora is a genus containing holo root parasites (total parasites). They are often seen on forest floors without any green leaf systems and the plants are attached to the host root system through haustoria. plant families like Orobanchaceae, Ericaceae, Hydnoraceae and Monotropaceae are also composed exclusively of parasitic plants. Orobanchaceae is common in Western Ghats with species like Aeginetia pedunculata and Aeginetia indica distributed through out the grasslands and forests. Cistanche tubulosa is the common Orobanch species in India.