Umphang: The owl's eye flower blooms profusely in the Umphang forest. "Owl's Eye" (or "Owl's Eye Plant), a rare plant found in the heart of the Umphang forest, is a testament to the forest's abundance. Biodiversity survey officers from Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, under the jurisdiction of Protected Area Administration Office 14 (Tak), reported the discovery of a rare plant species in bloom along a nature trail in the Doi Hua Mod area during their patrol and data collection during the past rainy season.
According to Thai News Agency, this plant, scientifically known as Thismia thaithongiana, or "Owl's Eye" in Thai, is a tiny herbaceous plant that thrives in a symbiotic relationship with soil fungi for growth, instead of photosynthesizing. Its distinctive features, with their bluish-green flowers shaped like an owl's face, have made this plant highly eye-catching.
The appearance of the owl's eye orchid is not only a beautiful natural phenomenon, but also directly reflects the quality of the forest. This group of plants thrives and flowers only in areas with high humidity, undisturbed by humans, and with a balanced ecosystem. They can only be seen during the rainy season each year.
Thismia thaithongiana, also known as "Owl's Eye Thismia," is a very small plant belonging to the Burmanniaceae family and is an endemic species of Thailand. It is found in large quantities only in Thailand, specifically in the limestone mountains of Doi Hua Mod, Umphang District, Tak Province, throughout Thailand.
This plant was first discovered and recognized as a new species in 2018. Its scientific name, thaithongiana, was chosen in honor of Associate Professor Obchan Thaitong, a botany student in Thailand.
This discovery is therefore seen as a tangible result of the dedication of forest rangers who continuously patrol and protect the Umphang forest, helping to maintain an environment conducive to the survival of living organisms that are sensitive to changes in the ecosystem.