Scientists have discovered a unique fossil that does not match any known species of flowering plants. The 47-million-year-old fossil leaves, found in Utah, belong to a plant with unusual flowers and fruits. Researchers analyzed the physical features of old and new fossils and compared them to over 400 diverse families of flowering plants alive today.
The study’s findings highlight a problem in categorizing ancient plant fossils within modern families, which can create a skewed estimate of biodiversity in ancient ecosystems. By studying this ‘alien plant’, researchers shed more light on the planet’s ancient diversity and the evolution of organisms in different places.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/alien-plant-unknown-species-mystery-b2667776.html