In December 2025, a new 'fairy lantern' plant species, Thismia selangorensis, was discovered in what country?

The new 'fairy lantern' plant species, Thismia selangorensis, was discovered in Malaysia. Naturalist Gim Siew Tan first spotted the unusual plant in November 2023 at Taman Eko Rimba Sungai Chongkak, a popular picnic site within the Hulu Langat Forest Reserve in Selangor. Researchers then formally described the species in a study published in late 2025, naming it after the Malaysian state where it was found.

Thismia plants are often called "fairy lanterns" due to their delicate, otherworldly appearance. They are particularly fascinating because they are mycoheterotrophic, meaning they lack chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize their own food. Instead, these plants live mostly underground and obtain their nutrients by parasitizing fungi in the soil. The newly discovered Thismia selangorensis emerges briefly to display its small, peach-to-pink, umbrella-shaped flowers, which are typically only about four inches tall and can be easily hidden beneath leaf litter or tree roots.

The discovery is notable not only for adding a new species to the world's flora but also for its location. It demonstrates that significant scientific finds can occur even in environments frequented by humans, challenging the notion that new species are only found in remote, untouched jungles. Unfortunately, Thismia selangorensis appears to be extremely rare, with fewer than 20 individuals identified within a small area, leading researchers to provisionally classify it as critically endangered. This highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect this unique Malaysian plant.