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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The fairy lantern rediscovered after roughly 150 years was Thismia neptunis. Researchers found it again in January 2017 in the Gunung Matang massif of western Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo—151 years after its type collection. The rediscovery gave botanists new material to describe and photograph, but it does not mean the species had been proven extinct or is now secure.
What is the fairy lantern rediscovered after 150 years?
It is Thismia neptunis, a species in the fairy lantern group, or family Thismiaceae. The “150 years” in the story is a rounded version of the 151-year interval reported by Michal Sochor, Zuzana Egertová, Michal Hroneš, and Martin Dančák in their 2018 paper, “Rediscovery of Thismia neptunis (Thismiaceae) after 151 years”.
The interval runs from the plant’s type collection—the original specimen used to establish the species—to the rediscovery. The plant was found in January 2017; the paper describing the find was published on 21 February 2018. Those are separate dates.
Where was Thismia neptunis found again?
Researchers found it in the Gunung Matang massif in western Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. The paper describes the find as being in the species’ type area and says it was “possibly the type locality,” a cautious distinction: the precise original collection spot was not confirmed.
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Why did the rediscovery matter to botanists?
Before the 2017 find, knowledge of T. neptunis rested on its type collection and a limited original description. The newly collected material allowed the researchers to amend the species description, provide drawings, and publish the first available photographs. The importance of the find was therefore not just that a rarely seen plant had been located again; it also made the species easier to document and identify.
Did the flower return from extinction?
No. “Returned” is a headline shorthand for rediscovered in the wild. The paper establishes that researchers found the species again after a long gap in records; it does not establish that T. neptunis had become extinct, been restored through cultivation, or now has a secure population.
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The sources cited for this story do not establish a verified current conservation category, population estimate, or population trend for T. neptunis. It would be inaccurate to infer those facts from the rediscovery alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is this the same fairy lantern rediscovered in Japan?
No. The 150-year story concerns Thismia neptunis in Sarawak, Malaysia. Thismia kobensis is a different species from Japan. It was first collected in Kobe in 1992; after its original locality was destroyed, it was rediscovered in Sanda more than 30 years later. Kobe University reported that separate rediscovery in 2023.
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- Appearance: This variety features vibrant, jewel-like flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and sometimes mahogany. The flowers are slightly smaller than those of T. majus but are just as striking.
- Growth Habit: Tropaeolum nanum grows in a bushy, dwarf form, typically reaching only about 12-18 inches in height, making it excellent for ground cover or in pots where space is limited.
- Edibility and Uses: Both the flowers and leaves are edible, often used to add color and a peppery flavor to salads. They are also rich in vitamin C and can be used for their ornamental purpose in culinary dishes.
- Quality: All Nasturtium seeds packaged by Seed Needs are intended for the current and the following growing seasons. All seeds are stored in a temperature controlled facility that is free of significant amounts of moisture.
| Species | Location | Rediscovery interval | What the cited work documented |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thismia neptunis | Gunung Matang massif, western Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo | 151 years after its type collection | Amended description, drawings, and first available photographs |
| Thismia kobensis | Sanda, Hyogo, Japan | More than 30 years after its 1992 discovery | Updated morphology, taxonomy, and conservation discussion |
The Japanese species’ conservation findings must not be transferred to T. neptunis. For example, a separate assessment of T. kobensis described it as Critically Endangered, with fewer than 20 observed individuals in an area under 20 square metres. Those figures concern the Japanese species only.
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- Variety: Jewel Mixed Nasturtium, scientifically known as Tropaeolum nanum, is a compact variety of nasturtium, ideal for small gardens, containers, or borders.
- Appearance: This variety features vibrant, jewel-like flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and sometimes mahogany. The flowers are slightly smaller than those of T. majus but are just as striking.
- Growth Habit: Tropaeolum nanum grows in a bushy, dwarf form, typically reaching only about 12-18 inches in height, making it excellent for ground cover or in pots where space is limited.
- Edibility and Uses: Both the flowers and leaves are edible, often used to add color and a peppery flavor to salads. They are also rich in vitamin C and can be used for their ornamental purpose in culinary dishes.
- Quality: All Nasturtium seeds packaged by Seed Needs are intended for the current and the following growing seasons. All seeds are stored in a temperature controlled facility that is free of significant amounts of moisture.
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