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A surprising discovery: a 47 million-year-old fossilized plant intrigues scientists because it presents characteristics that do not seem to belong to planet Earth.
The discovery of fossils of an extinct plant, dating back to around 47 million years, promises to change how scientists understand the evolution of flowering plants.
Initially nicknamed “alien plant“, the species Othniophyton elongatum until now it was associated with the ginseng family, but new studies indicate that its history is much more complex and mysterious.
The initial discovery and the first interpretation
In 1969, fossilized leaves of Othniophyton elongatum were found in eastern Utah in the Green River Formation, an area famous for its exceptional fossil preservation.
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At the time, researchers believed that these leaves belonged to a plant in the family araliaceae, the same group as ginseng.
This conclusion seemed plausible due to the arrangement of the leaves and the shape of the veins, which resembled other species in the family.
However, decades later, a new study challenged this theory and opened up new possibilities for understanding.
Steven Manchester, curator of paleobotany at the Florida Museum of Natural History, was one of those responsible for reevaluating the material.
On a visit to University of California, Berkeley, he had access to an extremely well-preserved plant fossil that had been collected in the same region where the first specimens of Othniophyton were found.
With this new sample, Manchester and his team began to revise the plant's classification.
Surprising fossils and unexpected revelations
The new study, published in Annals of botany, revisited previously unpublished characteristics of the plant Othniophyton elongatum.
Careful analysis of the fossils revealed that the plant was not only different from what had been imagined, but had distinctive flowers, fruits, and branches that did not fit into any of the known plant families.
Most importantly, the discovery showed that the leaves, fruits and flowers were all preserved in the same fossil, a rarity in the field of paleobotany.
Typically, the parts of a fossilized plant are found separately, making accurate identification difficult.
In this case, the fossils found revealed a complete and well-preserved set, with simple leaves — which ruled out any possibility of it being a plant from the ginseng family, which has compound leaves.
The berries, in turn, ruled out the possibility that they were grasses or magnolias. Even with this new evidence, researchers have still not been able to associate the plant with any currently known living group.
The mystery of the stamens and the lack of correspondence
One of the most intriguing features of this extinct plant was the behavior of the stamens, the flower's male reproductive organs.
Normally, after fertilization, the stamens detach from the flower, but in the case of Othniophyton elongatum, the stamens remained present as long as the fruits were ripe and the seeds were ready to disperse.
This phenomenon is extremely rare and has not been observed in any modern plant, making the fossil even more enigmatic.
Even with advances in fossil analysis, researchers have not been able to find any group of extinct plants that match the observed characteristics.
The Manchester team continued to try to find a match in extinct taxonomic groups, but again without success.
This reflects a recurring issue in paleobotany, where extinct plants, especially those less than 65 million years old, often end up being classified into modern families or genera, which can distort the perception of the biodiversity of ancient ecosystems.
The role of technology and digital microscopy
One of the keys to identifying the fossils in more detail was the use of modern technology. The introduction of digital microscopy and enhanced lighting, carried out by an artificial intelligence curator hired by the Florida Museum, allowed researchers to observe subtle details in the fossils that had previously gone unnoticed.
In particular, analysis of the small fruits and their internal microimprints revealed features of the internal anatomy, including the early stages of seed development, something rarely preserved in plant fossils.
These advances have helped us better understand the structure and complexity of this extinct plant, which in turn has provided valuable clues about the adaptation and evolution of organisms in the past. Although researchers cannot yet categorize the Othniophyton elongatum within a known taxonomic group, they are closer to understanding the behavior and ecology of that plant.
The impact of discoveries on paleobotany
The study of Othniophyton elongatum and its unexpected characteristics opens a broader discussion about the complexity and diversity of plants in the past.
According to Julian Correa-Narvaez, lead author of the study, this research is important because it offers a small clue about the evolution of plants and how they were adapting to different environments.
While the answers are not yet complete, the research could change the way we understand the history of plants.
Additionally, the Green River Formation, where the fossils were found, is already known for its amazing discoveries.
At other times, researchers have come across fossils that challenged existing classifications, leading to the discovery of entire extinct groups.
Manchester points out that the book published in 1969 about these fossils already contained many unsolved mysteries, and the current study has brought new questions to light.
The importance of continuous study
As technology continues to evolve, new digital analysis and microscopy tools allow researchers to explore fossils with more precision.
Access to digital databases such as iDigBio also facilitates the study of specimens and collaboration between different research institutions. This allows scientists from around the world to share their findings and continue to deepen our understanding of Earth’s natural history.
The plant Othniophyton elongatum remains an enigma, but research into it is a reflection of the constant evolution of paleobotany.
Over time, other discoveries could help fill in the gaps left by these extinct plants, providing a clearer picture of the biodiversity that existed millions of years ago.
For now, the study of this “alien plant” is yet another example of how the past still holds secrets that defy human knowledge.
