This newly discovered plant species looks like a squid

A new genus of plant, resembling a squid and feeding exclusively on fungi, has been discovered in Japan in the small town of Kimotsuki, on Kyushu Island. Named Relictithismia kimotsukiensis, or "mujina-no-shokudai" (which translates to "badger's chandelier" in English), this exceptionally rare find reveals an unknown biodiversity, even in locations that have been explored many times before.


The Thismiaceae family, commonly referred to as "fairy lanterns," describes peculiar plants that primarily grow in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions. Their name comes from their translucent flowers, reminiscent of urns or glass bells, with floral parts fused at the base. These plants are mycoheterotrophic, meaning they do not perform photosynthesis and feed on the fungal mycelium in the soil.

R. kimotsukiensis, standing about 1.2 inches tall and 0.8 inches wide, was found in a secondary forest of evergreen plants, near a mountain road. The specimens only bloom one week a year, and the total population might not exceed 50 individuals.


Morphological analyses indicate that this species differs from common genera of Thismiaceae, with 6 free stamens touching the stigma, a characteristic not found in other genera. Genetic analyses have confirmed that R. kimotsukiensis represents not only a new species but also a new genus, probably diverging early in the evolution of the family.

This discovery highlights the importance of botanical research in Japan, where new genus discoveries have been exceptionally rare for nearly a century. The researchers hope this new species will receive specific protection status due to its rarity and proximity to frequented areas while continuing to study its interactions with the environment.