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Fossilized plant remnants discovered near the now-abandoned hamlet of Rainbow, Utah, resisted categorization. The plant, termed Othniophyton elongatum, was first identified in 1969, but current investigation has revealed that it is unconnected to any known plant family, alive or extinct. The fossil, which dates back around 47 million years, was found in the Green River Formation, a location known for its well-preserved ancient vegetation and wildlife.
The article was published in Annals of Botany. According to reports, researchers headed by Steven Manchester, curator of palaeobotany at the Florida Museum of Natural History, studied a more complete specimen found at the University of California, Berkeley's palaeobotany collection. This specimen, which had leaves, flowers, and fruits, gave further information that challenged the previous notion tying the plant to the ginseng family. He told Live Science that the intricate architecture of the fruits and flowers exhibit characteristics not found in any existing or extinct plant family.
Unique Features of the Fossilized Plant
According to reports, the investigation showed unusual traits such as stamens that remained connected to the fruit even after fertilisation, which has not been observed in any other known species. Microscopy and artificial intelligence technologies enabled researchers to discover micro-impressions of seeds and growing reproductive systems, providing further depth to the investigation.
Despite extensive comparisons, the researchers were unable to identify the relic with any of the roughly 400 families of flowering plants. Attempts to connect it with extinct plant groupings were likewise fruitless, according to reports.
The Green River Formation's Role in Fossil Discoveries
The Green River Formation, noted for its rich layers of lake silt and volcanic ash, has previously revealed other puzzling fossils, including Bonanzacarpum fruit and Palibinia leaves. These observations have resulted in the identification of extinct groups, although Othniophyton elongatum continues to thwart categorization efforts. According to experts, the discoveries highlight the complexity of ancient ecosystems and indicate that the fossil record still contains many unwritten stories about plant development.
