A new species of plant was discovered deep in the rainforest of Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, and it is unlike any other, as it does not carry out photosynthesis. Thismia aliasii, as it has been named, belongs to the mysterious genus known as “fairy lanterns”, a botanical rarity that defies the rules of plant life. The research, published in the scientific journal Phytokeys, not only reveals its existence, but also documents that this species is completely “mycoheterotrophic”, that is to say, it survives thanks to a symbiosis with soil fungi.
According to the study, Thismia aliasii was found at an altitude of about 640 meters in a mountainous area of the Chemerong Forest Ecological Park, where humidity and shade allow for its strange way of life. Its lack of chlorophyll makes it unable to capture solar energy, so it cannot carry out photosynthesis, the most basic and universal process among plants. Instead, it obtains its nutrients by parasitizing underground fungi, which in turn are connected to nearby trees in a complex network.
A plant that defies everything known about the plant kingdom
According to Earth.com, species of the genus Thismia are described as “enigmas of modern botany”. They have no green leaves or visible stems and live mostly underground. These plants only emerge briefly to flower and then disappear back into the leaf litter. What makes them even more fascinating is their adaptation to the total darkness of the forest, as they develop an absolute dependence on “mycorrhizal” fungi, which nourish them through a symbiotic relationship.
This way of life makes Thismia aliasii extremely sensitive to any environmental change. According to Phys.org, these plants are designed to attract specific pollinators, such as small fungus gnats, through their unique floral shapes and peculiar scents, which adds another layer of vulnerability in an ever-changing environment.
An unusual flower in form and function
The Thismia aliasii flower is one of the strangest documented. According to the research, it measures about 5.8 cm and has six tepals that end in elongated appendages. What is striking is that the internal appendages can measure up to 32 mm, in contrast to the external ones, which barely reach 3.5 mm.
This asymmetry, together with stamens that have hook-shaped structures and a kind of prominent ribbing, make this species morphologically distinct from any other known in its group. The study details that this structural complexity could be related to the way in which the flower guides pollinating insects towards its interior, thus optimizing its reproductive process.
The most surprising thing is that this plant was discovered at the edge of a tourist trail in Gunung Chemerong, a popular route for hikers. According to Phys.org, it was ranger Mohamad Alias Shakri who first spotted the strange flower in 2019. Since then, only five specimens have been found in an area of less than five hectares, leading to its classification as “critically endangered” according to the IUCN Red List.
Human pressure on the trail poses a direct threat to its existence. Soil compaction, microhabitat disturbance and possible accidental collection could put an end to this species which, according to research, has evolved over millions of years.
An evolutionary piece that fills gaps in natural history
According to the study, Thismia aliasii belongs to the Odoardoa subsection within the Thismia genus, a group characterized by flowers with free and symmetrical tepals. Despite its similarities to species such as T. aseroe or T. alba, its unique morphology suggests that it is an “unprecedented evolutionary offshoot”, which could help to better understand the evolution of pollination and symbiosis strategies in extreme environments.
The discovery of Thismia aliasii also poses a challenge for conservation, because how can a plant that almost nobody can see be protected? Earth.com points out that Terengganu is already a haven for biodiversity of the genus Thismia, with at least 13 species recorded, six of them endemic. However, their low visibility makes them especially vulnerable.
