Produced by: Manoj Kumar
A mysterious fossil unearthed in 1969 in Utah was dubbed an "alien plant," hinting at its uniqueness and sparking decades of intrigue among scientists.
Credit: Florida Museum photo by Jeff Gage
The fossil, named Othniophyton elongatum, was initially thought to be related to ginseng. Recent analyses, however, debunked this theory, revealing an entirely unique species.
Credit: Florida Museum photo by Jeff Gage
A second fossil, discovered by Steven Manchester at UC Berkeley, had leaves, flowers, and fruits still attached—offering clues that the first sample lacked.
Credit: Ashley Hamersma, Manchester et al., 2024
Using advanced microscopy and AI at the Florida Museum of Natural History, scientists discovered unmatched reproductive traits in the fossil, reshaping previous assumptions.
The fossil retained stamens even as fruits matured, a phenomenon unseen in any modern flowering plants, according to Manchester’s statement from the Florida Museum.
Credit: Ashley Hamersma, Manchester et al., 2024
The plant thrived 47 million years ago in Utah’s Green River Formation, a volcanic lake ecosystem that preserved fossils remarkably well in sediment and ash.
The earlier link to the ginseng family was fully ruled out with the second fossil, proving the plant's features were unmatched by any known modern or extinct families.
Artificial intelligence helped researchers identify patterns and structures within the fossil, pushing the boundaries of paleobotanical analysis.
The extinct plant species remains unlinked to any modern or ancient family, raising questions about how much biodiversity was lost in Earth’s evolutionary timeline.