For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Hydnora abyssinica

Family Hydnoraceae
A most unusual plant which has stirred up great discussions of the finding of it in Satara Camp, KNP. Although it looks like a mushroom, it is classified as a parasitic plant and a flowering plant - why parasitic I do not know as it does not grow on anything but comes up from rhizomes deep in the ground. It is pollinated by beetles and the flesh is said to be edible.




1 comment:

Gaelyn said...

Very unusual looking.