bal a no pho race aæ ( Lindley ), balanophore( Richard )

pl. [BALANOPHORA.] Cynomoriums. An order of plants placed by Lindley under the cla Rhizanths or Rhizogens, but believed by Dr. Hooker to have an affinity to the Exogenous order Halorageæ, or Hippurids. They are succulent, fungus-like, leatle plants, usually yellow or red, parasitical upon roots. The flowers are mostly unisexual; they are crowded together in heads or cones. The perianth in the males is generally three or six cleft; the ovary has one or two styles, but only one cell and one pendulous ovule. Lindley estimated the number known in 1846 at thirty. They occur in America; at the Cape of Good Hope and in other parts of Africa; also in Asia. One species occurs in Malta. In properties they seem to be styptic. Cunomorium cocci neum, called by apothecaries Fungus Mel i tens is, is so, as are some species of Helosis. Embrophytum is eaten in Peru as if it were a fungus. [BALANOPHORA, CYNOMORIUMS.]