New ‘Devil‑Like’ Fairy Lantern Plant Discovered in Thailand’s Montane Forest

Botanists surveying evergreen forests in Thailand’s Thong Pha Phum National Park uncovered a previously unknown species of fairy lantern plant, Thismia daemona, at nearly 1,000 m elevation. The plant, which lacks chlorophyll and derives nutrients from soil fungi, spends most of its life hidden beneath leaf litter and only occasionally emerges to display a striking, devil‑like flower. The flower’s blackish tube, horn‑like appendages, and vivid reddish‑orange base petals give the species its dramatic appearance. Researchers noted that most Thismia species are found in lowland rainforests, making this montane discovery unexpected. The find, reported in a recent study, highlights the hidden biodiversity of Thailand’s seasonal evergreen forests and underscores the need to protect these fragile ecosystems, where newly identified species may already be critically endangered.