Photosynthesis-Free: Scientists Discover Remarkable Plant That Steals Nutrients To Survive!

The newly discovered plant Thismia malayana in Malaysia’s rainforests parasitizes fungi to survive in shaded undergrowth. It’s small, pollinated by insects, and listed as Vulnerable, highlighting conservation needs.
Scientists have discovered an extraordinary plant that survives by stealing nutrients from underground fungi. Named Thismia malayana, this unusual plant was recently published as a new species in the open-access journal PhytoKeys by botanists from the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) in collaboration with local naturalists and stakeholders.