About Aeginetia indica L.
Aeginetia indica, commonly called Indian broomrape or forest ghost flower, is a holoparasitic herb that acts as a root parasite, and belongs to the plant family Orobanchaceae. This species grows in moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests located in tropical and subtropical Asia and New Guinea. It parasitizes host plants from seven families: Cannaceae, Commelinaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae, Poaceae, and Zingiberaceae. Across many regions, including the Eastern Himalayas of Nepal, Aeginetia indica is used for both medicinal and ritual purposes. One recorded ritual use is placing the entire plant in shrines or on altars during the Teej festival, where it serves as a symbol of Shiva and Parvati.
