Description

Balanophora japonica is a parasitic plant growing on the roots of Symplocos plants (Symplocaceae), and is distributed in the southern part of Japan and China. Its underground parts become adhesive when exposed to the air and have been used as birdlime. The whole plant is medicinally used as an antipyretic, an antidote and a hemostatic agent in China. Previous chemical studies revealed the presence of triterpenes, phenylpropanoids, lignans, methyl gallate, and palmatic acid.