Thismia flower (2/18)

Thismia-hillii-26497.jpg Fairy lantern flowerThumbnailsThismia flower

A tiny flower of Thismia hilli. This mycoheterotrophic plant has no chlorophyl, and gets all it's energy from the fungi with which it grows. In New Zealand this species has been known as Thismia rodwayi, but recent work indicates that Thismia rodwayi is only found in Australia, and NZ plants are Thismia hilli.

Author
Thismia hillii (syn. Thismia rodwayi)
Common names
Fairy lantern
Location
Walter Scott Reserve, Pirongia, Waikato, New Zealand
Photo ID
26497