A ‘devil-like’ flower from Thailand is new to science — and critically endangered
Botanists in Thailand have identified a new-to-science species of “fairy lantern” — plants that live almost entirely buried under leaf litter, emerging aboveground only occasionally to flower. Researchers were surveying evergreen forests in the mountains of Thong Pha Phum National Park when they chanced upon a plant none of them had ever seen before, at […]
A newly discovered "fairy lantern" flower in Thailand, named Thismia daemona, has been described as "devil-like" due to its unique appearance. This species, previously unknown to science, was found in the mountains of Thong Pha Phum National Park by researchers during an evergreen forest survey at an elevation of nearly 1,000 meters (3,300 feet).
Unlike other "fairy lanterns," T. daemona cannot photosynthesize and instead relies on soil fungi for nutrients, spending most of its life hidden beneath leaf litter. Its distinctive blackish floral tube, dark horn-like appendages, and reddish-orange petals near the base contribute to its fearsome moniker. Thismia daemona's discovery in a seasonal, montane evergreen forest challenges the typical understanding of where these plants are found, as they are often associated with lowland, humid rainforests.
The plant's enigmatic, subterranean lifestyle was a key factor in its unusual name, reflecting its mysterious and otherworldly nature.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
