In 2019, amidst the lush forests of Terengganu, Malaysia, researcher and nature guide Mohamad Alias Shakri stumbled upon a botanical anomaly. Near a well-trafficked hiking trail, he discovered a plant species previously unknown to science. This discovery underscores the biodiversity yet to be uncovered, even in familiar landscapes.
This new species belongs to the fascinating Thismia genus, aptly nicknamed “fairy lanterns” due to their whimsical appearance. The discovery was recently documented in a study published in the journal PhytoKeys. As a tribute to its discoverer, the plant has been christened Thismia aliasii.
Pensoft Publishers, which publishes PhytoKeys, released a statement highlighting the significance of the find. “The discovery of Thismia aliasii is remarkable, especially given its location in a popular mountainous region,” Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh, research officer at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia and co-author of the study, was quoted as saying by Technology Networks. The fact that such a unique species remained unnoticed along a frequented trail speaks volumes about the hidden wonders of nature.
The study includes striking images of Thismia aliasii. The plant displays various shades of orange and yellow, with a bulbous top adorned with petal-like or tentacle-like appendages, bearing a resemblance to a slender starfish. These enigmatic plants thrive in the damp, shaded understory of upper hill dipterocarp forests, a type of tropical rainforest.
Obtaining specimens for further research proved challenging, however. “Accessing the mountainous habitat and the COVID-19 pandemic hampered our search efforts,” Mat Yunoh explained. Since 2019, despite Terengganu being recognized for its rich Thismia diversity, researchers have documented only five specimens of Thismia aliasii.
The researchers attribute the plant’s scarcity to habitat degradation caused by the area’s popularity for mountaineering. Consequently, Thismia aliasii is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Thismia species are mycoheterotrophic, meaning they have abandoned photosynthesis and instead rely on a parasitic symbiotic relationship with fungi for nutrition. They often exhibit unusual flowers that attract specific pollinators, such as fungus gnats, through specialized mechanisms.
The discovery of Thismia aliasii serves as a potent reminder that even in well-explored areas, undiscovered species await. It emphasizes the need for continued exploration and conservation efforts to protect these fragile ecosystems and the unique life they harbor.
