balanophora
|bal-a-noph-o-ra|
🇺🇸
/ˌbæl.əˈnɑfərə/
🇬🇧
/ˌbæl.əˈnɒfərə/
acorn-bearing (Greek roots) → genus name for parasitic plants
Etymology
'balanophora' originates from New Latin (botanical), ultimately from Greek: 'balanos' meaning 'acorn' and 'phoros' (from 'pherein') meaning 'bearing'.
'balanophora' was formed in botanical New Latin by combining Greek roots 'balanos' and 'phoros' and adopted as the genus name 'Balanophora' in modern botanical nomenclature.
Initially the compound literally meant 'acorn-bearing' (referring to shape or appearance); over time it became the fixed scientific name for a genus of parasitic plants.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a genus of parasitic flowering plants (family Balanophoraceae) that lack chlorophyll and live attached to the roots of other plants.
Species of Balanophora are found on the roots of trees in tropical and subtropical forests.
Last updated: 2026/01/04 02:48