Exotic plant fossil discovered near Utah can’t be linked to any known plant family

Fossil plant remains dug up near the now abandoned town of Rainbow, Utah have defied classification. The plant, named Othniophyton elongatum, was initially discovered in 1969, but recent analysis has shown that it is unrelated to any known plant family, living or extinct. The approximately 47 million year old fossil was preserved in the Green River Formation, an area famous for its well-preserved ancient flora and fauna.

This article was published in the journal Annals of Botany. According to reports, researchers led by Steven Manchester, curator of paleobotany at the Florida Museum of Natural History, examined a more complete specimen discovered in the paleobotany collection of the University of California, Berkeley. This specimen, featuring leaves, flowers and fruits, provided additional details that contradicted an earlier theory linking the plant to the ginseng family. The elaborate structures of the fruits and flowers show characteristics that have not been found in any modern or extinct plant family, he told Live Science.

Unique Features of Fossil Plants

According to reports, the study revealed unique characteristics, including stamens that remained attached to the fruit even after fertilization – a feature not seen in any other known species. Microscopy and artificial intelligence techniques allowed researchers to identify microscopic imprints of seeds and develop reproductive structures, adding further depth to the analysis.

Despite intensive comparison, researchers could not match the fossil to any of the more than 400 families of flowering plants. As reported, attempts to link it with extinct plant groups also proved unsuccessful.

The Green River Formation’s role in fossil discoveries

The Green River Formation, known for its rich deposits of lake sediments and volcanic ash, has previously yielded other mysterious fossils, such as Bonanzacarpum fruits and Palibinia leaves. These findings have led to the identification of extinct groups, yet Othniophyton elongatum continues to challenge classification efforts. According to the sources, the findings highlight the complexity of ancient ecosystems and suggest that there are still many untold stories of plant evolution in the fossil record.