A family of 18 genera with a pantropic distribution; one genus occurs naturally in Australia. Hansen (1976).

Balanophora - A genus of about 15 species in Africa, Asia, Malesia, Australia and the Pacific islands; one species (with two subspecies) occurs naturally in Australia. Hewson (1984).

Hansen, B. (1972). The genus Balanophora J.R. & G. Forster a taxonomic monograph. Dansk Botanisk Arkiv 28:1-188.

Hansen B. (1976). Balanophoraceae. In 'Flora Malesiana.' Ser. 1, Vol. 7, (Noordhoff: Leyden), pp. 783-805.

Hewson, H.J. (1984). Balanophoraceae. In 'Flora of Australia.' Vol. 22, (Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.) pp. 146-147.