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February 26, 2008 : Cynomorium coccineum
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Keywords: Cynomoriaceae | Cynomorium coccineum L. | Los Yesos, Spain
Today's photograph and write-up are courtesy of UBC Botanical Garden horticulturist Jackie Chambers:
I first saw this fantastically phallic crimson plant while working in southern Spain. Often found in salty areas, Cynomorium coccineum has a native distribution across the Mediterranean (including parts of northern Africa) and Saudi Arabia. This plant does not have any leaves; in fact it doesn’t produce any chlorophyll at all. Instead, it derives energy by parasitizing the roots of other salt-tolerant (halophytic) plants.
Cynomorium coccineum spends most of its life underground as a rhizome. The thick, fleshy stems emerge from the soil after the winter rain, and can reach 15-30 cm. The stems can range in colour from dark red to almost black. Tiny scarlet flowers are so densely packed along the stems that it is almost impossible to see individual flowers. Instead, they give the whole stem a fuzzy texture. The Parasitic Plant Connection has a wonderful selection of photographs: Cynomoriaceae.
These stems are supposed to be delicious when eaten fresh (the flavor is often compared to apples). However, they are more prized for their medicinal qualities. Given the plant’s colour and shape, it is clear why it has been traditionally used to treat blood diseases and sexual problems. Bedouins call it ‘Tarthuth’, and refer to it as ‘the treasure box of medicines’ due to its many uses. For details on how Cynomorium has been used historically, visit Cynomorium: Parasitic Plant Widely Used in Traditional Medicine.
Daniel adds: The species seems to only be commonly known as cynomorium (in English). It is one of two species in the genus Cynomorium, the sole genus within the Cynomoriaceae.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at February 26, 2008 8:00 AM
Comments
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Posted by: J at February 26, 2008 8:15 AM
The botanical world is full of oddities. Thanx for presenting this one!! Fantastic!!
Posted by: fotrristi at February 26, 2008 9:57 AM
The Asian counterpart to this plant, Cymomorium songaricum which is native to the desert zones of Western China and parasitizes the roots of Nitrarias, is being actively studied by researchers at the Inner Mongolian University for it's potential anti-aging properties.
Posted by: Ingrid Hoff at February 26, 2008 11:23 AM
Top photo and description. Thanks Jackie.
Posted by: Katy S at February 26, 2008 1:06 PM
What a fascinating plant! I enjoyed the link to the Parasitic Plant Connection.
Posted by: Janet A. at February 26, 2008 1:21 PM
Very interesting. But, I miss Beverley's phoentic pronunciation of both ‘Tarthuth’ and Cynomorium.
Posted by: Knox at February 26, 2008 11:42 PM
Knox - I am sorry but my limited reference sources do not cover your request!
Posted by: Beverley at February 27, 2008 12:07 AM
Cynomorium: 'Kine-o-morium'.
Sorry, don't know about Bedouin pronunciation of Tarthuth.
Posted by: Michael F at February 27, 2008 2:08 AM
Tarthuth: Tar-tooth with all soft t's
Posted by: Fawad Khan at February 27, 2008 5:59 AM
Outstanding photograph of a plant that would make a good bit of background for a science fiction movie.
Thanks for sharing this photograph.
Posted by: Denis at February 27, 2008 6:18 AM
Although it's different from mushrooms, it's shape reminds me of morel mushrooms.
From what you shared, I'd guess that it might be very hard to transplant. Anyone know?
But if it needs a host plant to live on, does that mean it has to germinate on a host plant? Or can it grow, and then afterward attach to a host?
Posted by: Mario Vaden at February 27, 2008 7:43 AM
Fascinating and beautiful. Two of my interests come together - sand dune flora and parasitic plants. Thanks so much, I'd not come across this amazing red spike before.
Posted by: ingrid at February 27, 2008 8:28 AM
So does the name mean "dog mulberry" (cyno=dog, morium like Morus, mulberry)?
Posted by: Andrea at February 27, 2008 11:04 AM
It is very uncommon plant having halophytic, parasitic, medicinal property.THANK you for your write up
Posted by: bharat at February 28, 2008 8:04 AM
We have about 100 hectars with cynomorium coccineum in central Spain, a rarity, at the side of a medieval castle, which history is connected to Malta's Fungi (Gonzo). I have even tried the cyno and hope to be able to finish the book I started writing about this amazing plant years ago.
Posted by: juan carlos rubio at March 10, 2008 9:20 AM
It grows on Malta as well, htey call it General's Root
Check this out:
http://www.maltawildplants.com/CYNM/Cynomorium_coccineum.php
Snip:
"The vernicular name 'Maltese Fungus' is a misnomer both because the species is a plant (not a fungus) and also as it gives the impression that it is a species endemic to Malta, but actually it is distributed in several Mediterranean countries as well in Asia.
The plant has been proteceted from public collection for very long time ago. Historical records mentions that in the 17th century, only high members of the Order of St. John could collect and make use of the medicinal virtues of the plant, while public caught in possession of the plant would have been sent in prison."
Posted by: Jo at June 12, 2008 2:45 AM
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Botany Photo of the Day is a project of the UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, located in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada. UBC BGCPR is a department of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems within The University of British Columbia.
WOW! Between that incredibly unusual plant and
the "fantastically phallic" comment,
i almost shot coffee all over
my keyboard via my nose!