Scientists Say Fossilized ‘Alien Plant’ From Utah Defies All Known Living or Extinct Species
A mysterious plant fossil from Utah, once thought to be ginseng, defies science with no ties to any known species. 🌐 #News #SaltLakeCityUT #Utah #Science
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – A peculiar plant fossil found in Utah 55 years ago has left scientists scratching their heads once again. Long thought to be related to ginseng, this so-called “alien plant” is actually unrelated to any known species, extinct or living. A recent study has cast aside decades of assumptions, revealing that this fossil is a true outlier in the plant world, offering more questions than answers.
The Fossil Discovery and Initial Assumptions
Back in 1969, paleontologists unearthed the fossilized remains of a plant near the abandoned town of Rainbow in eastern Utah.
At the time, the plant was given the name Othniophyton elongatum, with researchers believing it could be connected to the well-known ginseng plant, due to similarities in the leaf’s vein patterns and arrangement. This assumption went unchallenged for decades, as scientists lacked the resources to explore the fossil in greater detail.
However, a breakthrough came in recent years when Steven Manchester, curator of paleobotany at the Florida Museum of Natural History, came across another fossil from the same area at the UC Berkeley paleobotany collection.
This new specimen was in far better condition and provided much more detail, including attached flowers, fruits, and leaves, which revealed crucial differences from the previously assumed ginseng connection.
A Fresh Analysis and Key Findings
Manchester and his team quickly saw the potential for a groundbreaking study. By analyzing both fossils side by side, the researchers found that they belonged to the same species, but with a much clearer picture of the plant’s structure.
The new specimen’s intact leaves, fruits, and flowers provided vital clues that were missing from the 1969 find, which had only included the leaves.
Using modern techniques, including advanced microscopy and artificial intelligence, Manchester’s team closely examined the fossils.
They discovered unusual features in the UC Berkeley specimen, such as stamens—male reproductive organs—remaining attached to mature fruits, an occurrence that is not typically observed in modern plants. Despite these discoveries, the plant could not be connected to any known plant family.
The Mystery Remains
The new research ultimately challenged the initial assumption that the plant was related to ginseng. Both fossils were scrutinized against more than 400 families of existing flowering plants, as well as numerous extinct ones, but none showed any similarities.
While the original 1969 study had focused only on leaf features, the newer analysis, backed by more complete fossils, painted a different picture.
Still, despite the advances in technology and knowledge, the “alien plant” remains a mystery. The Green River Formation in Utah has yielded other fossils that have also stumped scientists, but this particular find continues to stand out.
The plant’s origin and classification may still be unclear, but this study opens the door to future discoveries, sparking more curiosity about the plants that once flourished in this ancient ecosystem.
RELATED TOPICS: Science | Utah
Editor’s note: Photos used for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual subject.
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