Flower in the Congo - ID please?

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by Alliecat, Jul 8, 2011.

  1. Alliecat

    Alliecat Member

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    My friend is currently working in the Congo and sent me a picture of this flower. He found it in the rainforest. He says it's only about 5 cm in diameter. Can anyone ID this? Thanks so much!
     

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    Alliecat, Jul 8, 2011
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  2. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

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    If it pops up out of the ground like that, it might belong to some kind of root or stem parasite.
     
    Ron B, Jul 8, 2011
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  3. SusanDunlap

    SusanDunlap Active Member

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    gorgeous - I would be thrilled to find such a thing. Sorry I do not know what it is either.
     
    SusanDunlap, Jul 9, 2011
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  4. lorax

    lorax Rising Contributor 10 Years

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    It's a parasite - check out Langsdorfia or Balanophorea (and the family Balanaphoraceae). Oddly enough, it's related to Misteltoe.
     
    lorax, Jul 9, 2011
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  5. Alliecat

    Alliecat Member

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    Thanks for the replies! lorax, I'll keep looking and see if I can narrow it down to a species. Thanks. Will forward your replies to the Congo!
     
    Alliecat, Jul 10, 2011
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