Researchers from Chulalongkorn University and Prince of Songkla University have identified a previously unknown species of flowering plant in western Thailand’s Thong Pha Phum National Park. The plant, designated Thismia daemona and commonly called the “devil flower,” belongs to a genus of small, leafless species that lack chlorophyll and derive nutrients through underground fungal relationships rather than photosynthesis.
The discovery occurred at an elevation of nearly 1,000 meters in a seasonal montane evergreen forest, an environment that surprised botanists. Members of the Thismia genus are typically found in humid lowland tropical rainforests. The finding also extends the known geographic range of Thismia section Geomitra, which had previously been documented only in Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra, marking the first confirmation of this section in Thailand.
The plant’s distinctive appearance prompted its scientific name. Its flower features predominantly black coloring topped with horn-like projections rising from a dome-shaped structure. Bright reddish-orange markings near the flower’s base resemble glowing eyes, creating an overall appearance that inspired the dramatic “devil flower” designation. Combined with the species’ typically hidden, subterranean lifestyle beneath forest floor leaf litter, researchers determined the name appropriately captured its enigmatic character.
Conservation concerns are substantial, as scientists have identified only a single population containing fewer than 50 individual plants in an area smaller than a football field. The species has been provisionally assigned a status of Critically Endangered. The habitat’s location within a national park that experiences considerable tourist visitation presents an additional threat. Researchers suggest that involving local communities in conservation efforts, particularly through sustainable ecotourism initiatives aligned with UNESCO Man and the Biosphere principles, may be essential for protecting both the species and its fragile microhabitat. The research was published in the open-access journal PhytoKeys, bringing Thailand’s known Thismia species count to sixteen.
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