Thismia aliasii. Credit: PhytoKeys (2025).
Scientists have discovered a rare and beautiful new plant species hidden in the forests of eastern Peninsular Malaysia.
Named _Thismia aliasii_, this mysterious plant belongs to the “fairy lantern” group, known for their glowing, otherworldly flowers and unusual way of surviving.
The discovery was made in the Chemerong Forest Eco Park in Terengganu, a lush mountainous area popular with hikers.
The plant was first spotted in 2019 by Mohamad Alias Shakri during a field trip.
Now, a new scientific study published in _PhytoKeys_ describes the species and highlights the urgent need to protect it.
_Thismia aliasii_ is unlike most plants—it doesn’t use sunlight to make food. Instead, it is mycoheterotrophic, which means it survives by stealing nutrients from underground fungi.
This makes it incredibly difficult to find, as it lives mostly underground and only appears briefly to bloom.
Its flower is striking and unique, designed to attract tiny insects like fungus gnats that help it pollinate. Because it doesn’t rely on sunlight, it grows in dark, shady forest floors, making its glowing appearance stand out even more—like a tiny fairy lantern.
Finding this plant wasn’t easy. It lives in a remote mountain area, and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed researchers from returning to collect more samples.
But with the help of targeted fieldwork and support from the NAGAO Natural Environment Foundation, scientists were able to return and confirm the plant as a brand-new species.
Sadly, _Thismia aliasii_ is already in trouble. Only five individual plants were found, and its home is near a popular hiking trail. The increasing number of visitors may damage its fragile habitat, putting the plant at serious risk.
Because of its small population and threats from habitat disturbance, _Thismia aliasii_ is currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
This new find adds to Terengganu’s growing reputation as a hotspot for fairy lanterns. The region is now known to host 13 species of _Thismia_, including \*_six species that are found nowhere else in the world_.
Researchers hope this discovery will inspire more protection for the forests where these rare and magical plants still survive—before they disappear forever.