Funny plants shaped like owls

Thismia thaithongiana does not photosynthesize but obtains energy and nutrients from the fungus. Due to its owl-like appearance, it is also known as "Mysterious Owl Eye".

Recently, this beautiful photo of this strange plant won the gold prize in the Plants and Fungi category of the 2024 World Nature Photography Awards .

According to the organizers, the "owl" lies in the dark soil, emitting a strange emerald light.

Thismia thaithongiana looks like a scowling owl, living parasitically by getting energy and nutrients from mushrooms - (Photo: Lertsintanakorn).

Scientists first discovered Thismia thaithongiana in 2018 in the Doi Hua Mot Mountains, Thailand.

Little is known about this plant, but its strange shape has led to the name "Phisawong Ta Nok Hook" , which means "Mysterious Owl Eye", according to Nation Thailand.

Thismia thaithongiana mainly lives underground , so humans only see it when it emerges, and even then, its size is extremely small.

"I was surprised by its small size, only 2 to 8 millimeters long," said photographer Chatree Lertsintanakorn.

Thanks to the help of his friend, photographer Chanhomhuan, Mr. Lertsintanakorn found and took a beautiful photo of this plant in the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Thailand's Tak province.

"I noticed it mainly grows near the base of the tree, so it's easy to miss," Lertsintanakorn told Live Science via email.

Thismia thaithongiana does not photosynthesize but obtains its energy and nutrients from fungi, more specifically from fungi associated with plant roots.

Accordingly, some species of fungi live around and inside the roots of ancient trees. They create an underground network of connections in search of minerals to pass on to the plant. In return, the plants provide them with nutrients in a relationship known as symbiosis.

Thismia thaithongiana disrupts this relationship by stealing nutrients produced by the fungus.