A 47-million-year-old fossil of the Othniophyton elongatum plant has been re-examined by researchers at the Florida Museum of Natural History. The initial identification of the species as a member of the ginseng family has been disputed due to new findings.
In 1969, fossilized leaves were discovered in eastern Utah and initially assigned to the ginseng family (Araliaceae). However, recent analysis of new fossils and digital microscopy has revealed that the plant’s unique features do not align with any living family or genus. The plant’s stems had attached leaves, fruits, and flowers, which are rare characteristics.
Researchers extensively analyzed physical features of both old and new fossils before searching for a matching family or genus. However, no match was found in over 400 diverse families of flowering plants alive today. They also searched for extinct families but came up empty-handed.
The study’s findings underscore a potential problem in paleobotany, where extinct plants are often placed within modern families or genera. This can lead to an inaccurate estimate of biodiversity in ancient ecosystems. The researchers highlight that some fossils may not fit neatly into modern categories and require further investigation.
The fossil was discovered in the Green River Formation near Rainbow, Utah, which provides a unique environment for fossil preservation due to its tectonically active lake system. The new analysis using digital microscopy has revealed subtle peculiarities that were previously overlooked.
The study’s lead author, Julian Correa-Narvaez, emphasizes the importance of the findings in understanding plant evolution and adaptation in different environments. The discovery highlights the complexity of plant diversity and the need for continued research into enigmatic species like Othniophyton elongatum.
Source: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/this-mysterious-plant-fossil-belongs-to-a-family-that-no-longer-exists