New Species Alien-Like Flower That Doesn’t Need Sunlight Found Only in Terengganu’s Forests

Alien-Like Flower That Doesn’t Need Sunlight Found Only in Terengganu’s Forests

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Hidden deep in the tropical rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia is a plant so bizarre, it seems like something out of a sci-fi film or fantasy novel.

Meet Thismia aliasii, a newly classified plant species discovered in Terengganu that stands at a tiny 11cm tall — but its size is no match for how otherworldly it looks.

With its burnt orange hue and antenna-like structures, the flower has a unique mitre-shaped crown that gives it an alien-like presence in the undergrowth.

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This Plant Doesn’t Need Sun, Leaves, or Chlorophyll

What sets Thismia aliasii apart is that it’s one of the few plants that doesn’t require sunlight, doesn’t have leaves, and cannot photosynthesize.

Instead, it relies on a process called mycoheterotrophy, meaning it feeds on nutrients absorbed from underground fungi. In essence, it’s a “freeloader” in the plant kingdom, dependent on its fungal network for survival.

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First Spotted in 2019, But Only Named in 2025

Although it was first observed in 2019 by Mohamad Alias Shakri, a forest ranger in Terengganu, the plant wasn’t officially classified and named until 2025.

The species was studied and formally documented by Malaysian botanists Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh and Dome Nikong from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), who worked closely with Shakri. The plant was named aliasii in tribute to Ali bin Hassan, another ranger who helped conserve the forest area where it was found.

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Extremely Rare and Critically Endangered

Due to its fragile ecosystem and the plant’s elusive nature, Thismia aliasii has been listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Fortunately, it was discovered within the Chemerong Forest Eco Park, a protected reserve that has shielded the species from immediate threats.

“It wasn’t easy to collect specimens for research,” said Siti-Munirah. “The plant grows in mountainous terrain, and the COVID-19 pandemic also slowed our fieldwork. We were lucky to rediscover it thanks to targeted surveys supported by the Nagao Natural Environment Foundation.”

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A Botanical Wonder That Might Have Gone Undiscovered

Despite its eye-catching appearance, the plant’s short-lived bloom and miniature size mean it’s easy to miss unless you’re actively searching for it.

Its discovery underscores the importance of protecting biodiversity hotspots like Malaysia’s rainforests — places where incredible, unknown species like Thismia aliasii still hide in plain sight.

Without preservation efforts, this botanical marvel might have disappeared forever without ever being documented.

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Source : Says