| Aeginetia indica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 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 |
| Binomial name | |
| Aeginetia indica Linnaeus, 1753 | |
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.
