Megalong Fairy Lantern (Thismia megalonensis)

Thismia megalongensis is a tiny herb that grows in the soil and leaf litter in a temperate rainforest in the Megalong Valley.

It has no leaves. The flower protrudes above the soil and through the leaf litter.

The flowers are deep orange and seem to glow.

As the flowers age they emit an unpleasant odour like aged fish.

A small area in the Megalong Valley.

The Megalong Fairy Lantern is a saprophyte, obtaining its energy from decaying organic matter on the floor of the rainforest.

Kingdom: Plantae
Family: Thismiaceae
Genus: Thismia
Species: megalonensis
Last Updated: 26-12-2018