Langsdorffia hypogaea

Langsdorffia hypogaea is a parasitic plant in the family Balanophoraceae which parasitizes Quercus spp. (oaks) among others. It is native from southern Mexico through Central America to northern South America. It forms a pseudotuber composed of tissue of the host integrated with its own tissue that can be up to 1 m² (1.2 sq yd) in size. The Langsdorffia flower clusters (which are capitula composed of myriads of tiny florets) emerge from the soil out of these "tubers".^[1]

Langsdorffia hypogaea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Santalales
Family:	Balanophoraceae
Genus:	Langsdorffia
Species:	L. hypogaea
Binomial name
Langsdorffia hypogaea Mart.