plant parasite flower (thonningia sanguinea) (balanophoraceae), loango national park, gabon. the plant is an underground parasite living on the roots of forest trees. local custom says that the hard prickly dried flower head, when placed in young boys beds, will prevent bed-wetting in the night. medicinal. date: 07.11.2008 ref: zb1183_123922_0006 compulsory credit: nhpa/photoshot