Aeginetia indica | |
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Forest ghost flower, Aeginetia indica | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Lamiales |
Family: | Orobanchaceae |
Genus: | Aeginetia |
Species: | A. indica
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Binomial name | |
Aeginetia indica
Linnaeus, 1753
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Aeginetia indica, commonly known as Indian broomrape [1] or forest ghost flower, is a holoparasitic herb or root parasite of the plant family Orobanchaceae. It grows in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests of tropical and subtropical Asia and New Guinea. [2] [3] [4] It parasitises plants of the families Cannaceae, Commelinaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, Poaceae, and Zingiberaceae. [5]
In many regions, including the Nepal Eastern Himalayas, Aeginetia indica is used for medicinal and ritual purposes. [6] For example, the entire plant is placed in shrines or on altars during the Teej festival as a symbol of Shiva and Parvati.