Seasonal emergence of rare owl-like plant attracts botanists and explorers in Tak

The elusive Thismia thaithongiana, a tiny, owl-eyed plant dependent on fungi, appears briefly in Umphang’s forests, offering a rare opportunity for nature enthusiasts this rainy season.

A rare miniature plant that local guides call Phitsawong Ta Nok Huk, or Phitsawong Thai Thong, has begun appearing in the forests of Umphang district in Tak, offering nature-minded visitors a short seasonal window to spot one of Thailand’s strangest botanical curiosities. The plant, scientifically known as Thismia thaithongiana, was seen during a survey on August 17 with the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Tak office, the Umphang tourism group and Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary.

It is easy to overlook. The flower is tiny, hugs the forest floor and blends into leaf litter, so finding it usually requires patience and a careful eye. Its nickname comes from its owl-like appearance, while botanists note that it is a mycoheterotrophic species, meaning it depends on fungi in the soil rather than conventional photosynthesis. According to botanical reports, it was first described in the scientific journal Phytotaxa after being found on Doi Hua Mot in Umphang district.

For travellers, the main appeal is timing. The plant emerges in the rainy season and, according to local tourism officials, can typically be seen in Umphang until around October, making late-season visits the best bet for a sighting. Earlier accounts from Thai media said the species has become a recurring draw for botanists and visitors at the end of the wet season, when it briefly flowers in the sanctuary.

Those hoping to see it are being urged to tread lightly and use a phone camera’s zoom rather than stepping off the path or disturbing the plant. That advice matters in a place like Umphang, where the experience depends on the forest remaining intact. The area’s appeal is not just the plant itself, but the chance to combine a rare natural sighting with a trip into one of Tak’s more remote and rewarding forest landscapes.