Scientists in Malaysia have discovered an usual golden plant that robs nutrients from underground fungi to survive.
Thismia malayana, described as a new species in the open-access journal PhytoKeys, has been found to exist at just two sites in Peninsula Malaysia's tropical rainforest.
This rare member of the genus Thismia (also known as fairy lanterns) is surely one of the weirdest plants in the world.
What is it?
This strangely beautiful little plant, which grows up to about 10cm tall, is a member of the Thismia genus in the Burmanniaceae family, a group of mostly inconspicuous species that produce a huge variety of unusual flowers. This species bears golden, star-shaped flowers that attract the fungus gnats that pollinate it.
Where does it live?
So far, it has been found at two tropical rainforest sites in Peninsula Malaysia, where it grows amongst leaf litter and rotting wood on shady forest floors. First spotted in 2020 in the Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve in the state of Pahang, it was later found in Ulu Bendul Recreation Park in Negeri Sembilan.
What's the meaning behind the scientific name?
The genus, Thismia, which contains another 108 species, was described in 1844 by a Mr William Griffith, who named it in memory of a Mr Thomas Smith. (Thismia is an anagram of ‘Smith’ plus a latinised ending.) The specific name, malayana, refers to the species’ known distribution in Peninsular Malaysia, formerly known as Malaya.
Why isn’t it green?
Like many other members of its family, the species does not photosynthesise, so it has no need for green chlorophyll. Instead, it parasites subterranean fungi, from which it pilfers sugars and other nutrients.
Is it rare?
It’s hard to say, because it’s so inconspicuous. Both sites are popular with visitors and the few specimens found so far were near well-trodden paths, suggesting they might be at risk of trampling. The species has been designated as Vulnerable according to the IUCN criteria.
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