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Scientists have discovered a rare new species of leafless flowering plant in Thailand’s Thong Pha Phum National Park, naming it Thismia daemona or the “devil flower” because of its unusual appearance.
Found at nearly 1,000 metres above sea level, the plant has mostly black flowers with horn-like structures and reddish-orange markings resembling glowing eyes. Unlike ordinary plants, it lacks chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesise, instead relying on underground fungi for nutrients.
The discovery, made by researchers from Chulalongkorn University and Prince of Songkla University, expands the known range of the Thismia genus farther north.
Scientists have found fewer than 50 individuals in a very small area and have provisionally classified the species as Critically Endangered. They say community involvement and sustainable ecotourism will be important to protect its fragile habitat.
The findings were published in PhytoKeys. With the discovery, Thailand is now known to have 16 Thismia species.
