Thismia

Thismia are perennial,^[7] achlorophyllous, mycoheterotrophic,^[3] tuberous plants with branched or simple stems.^[8] The 1–4 terminal,^[8] solitary flowers^[9] are erect.^[7] The androecium consists of 6 stamens.^[1][8] The gynoecium consists of one carpel.^[9][8]

The generic name Thismia refers to Thomas Smith (English microscopist, died ca. 1825). It is an anagram of his name.^[7][1]

Most Thismia species are threatened with extinction^[10] and many species are only known from very few collections.^[11] For instance, the IUCN conservation status of Thismia melanomitra is Vulnerable (VU),^[12] Thismia malayana is categorized as Vulnerable (VU),^[13] Thismia kobensis, which was previously believed to be extinct, is now categorized as Critically Endangered (CR),^[14] and Thismia americana is believed to be possibly extinct.^[11][15]

The flowers of Thismia tentaculata are pollinated by fungus gnats.^[16] The flowers of Thismia hongkongensis are visited by fungus gnats and scuttle flies.^[17]

The chromosome count of Thismia huangii is 2n = 18.^[18] The chromosome count of Thismia abei is 2n = 12.^[19]

It was published by William Griffith in 1845^[2] with Thismia brunonis Griff. as the type species.^[3][4]