In 2019, a remarkable discovery was made by researcher and nature guide Mohamad Alias Shakri in a forest located in the Malaysian state of Terengganu. Shakri spotted an unusual plant growing near a popular hiking trail, which ultimately led to the identification of a previously undocumented species.

A recent study published in the journal PhytoKeys on Monday provides details about the plant, which belongs to the unique Thismia genus, commonly referred to as the “fairy lantern” due to its enchanting appearance. The newly described species has been named Thismia aliasii in honor of Shakri’s contribution to its discovery.

According to a statement released by Pensoft Publishers, the publisher of the journal PhytoKeys, “The discovery of Thismia aliasii is particularly interesting given its location in a mountainous region renowned for its natural beauty. Notably, the species was first recognized by Alias Shakri near a popular mountaineering trail.” This quote is attributed to Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh, co-author of the study and a research officer at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia, by Technology Networks.

The study includes photographs of Thismia aliasii, showcasing a plant with a distinctive appearance, featuring shades of orange or yellow, a bulbous top, and petal- or tentacle-like appendages that resemble a skinny starfish. According to the researchers, this enigmatic plant thrives in the moist, shady areas of upper hill dipterocarp forests, a type of tropical rainforest.

However, obtaining specimens for further study proved challenging due to the plant’s habitat location on the mountain and the delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, only five specimens of Thismia aliasii have been documented since 2019, despite Terengganu being known for its rich species diversity of Thismia, the researchers noted in the study.

The researchers attribute the damage to the plant’s habitat to the region’s popularity as a mountaineering destination. Consequently, the species has been listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List.

More broadly, Thismia species are characterized as mycoheterotrophic, having evolved away from photosynthesis and now relying on a symbiotic relationship with fungi for nutrition, with Thismia acting as parasites. These species often feature unusual flowers that attract specialized pollination mechanisms, involving small insects like fungus gnats, as stated in the study.

The discovery of Thismia aliasii highlights that there is still much to be discovered, even in the most explored regions of our planet.