67 
carrying approximately 1800 papaws situated on a hill- 
side north of Gympie. The land had originally carried rain 
forest and extending from the upper boundary was a 
thicket of secondary growth consisting principally of lan- 
tana, wild tobacco (i Solatium auricutatuni Ait.) and 
Macaranga tanarius Muell. Arg. Within the plantation 
71. fungosa was distinctly more prevalent in the first 
seven rows, in a stony depression next to this boundary. 
A count here showed that 29 out of a total of 109 papaw 
plants had the parasite associated with them. 
Affected papaws exhibit a withering between the 
teins of the outer leaves which eventually die. The fruit 
cease growing, ripen prematurely, and are subject to 
scald. In most eases the papaw roots attacked were from 
a quarter to half an inch in diameter and were running 
within a few inches of the surface. 
Local observers , state that the parasite appears in 
the autumn and is active during the winter months. In 
Balanophora fungosa, complete plant on a root of Macaranga 
tanarius. Natural size from an abnormally small specimen. 
