The lunatics have taken over the asylum.

Balanophora fungosa

What you’re looking at the photo is a flowering plant that parasitizes roots of trees. It is scientifically named Balanophora fungosa (Santalales - Balanophoraceae), and is entirely lacking in green pigments. 

Balanophora fungosa obtains water and nutrients from the host plant it is attached to. It has an inconspicuous flowering stem that merges from its underground tuber. It has colored scale leaves and tiny flowers. 

Each flowering stalk of Balanophora fungosa bears thousands of female flowers (the top portion) and a much smaller number of male flowers near the base of the flowering stalk.

This species inhabits coastal forests in Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan (Ryukyu Islands), New Guinea, Philippines, Australia, and Pacific Islands.

References: [1] - [2] - [3]

Photo credit: ©Jeremy Holden