‘Alien plant’ fossil discovered near Utah ghost town doesn’t belong to any known plant families, living or extinct

Researchers have found that an “alien plant” initially discovered near a ghost town in Utah over 55 years ago doesn’t appear to be associated with any known living plant family or genus.

known as an “alien plant”. At the time, they thought the extinct species might be related to ginseng.

The curator of paleobotany at the Florida Museum of Natural History, who is also an expert on Utah fossils, came across a previously unidentified plant fossil during a visit to the University of California, Berkeley’s paleobotany collection. The well-preserved fossil was found in the same region where the unusual alien plant leaves were discovered.

Annals of Botany

Two fossilized specimens were found in the Green River Formation in eastern Utah, near the old town of Rainbow. About 47 million years ago, when plants were thriving, the area was a vast lake system with nearby volcanoes. The lake’s sediment and volcanic ash helped slow down the decay of fish, reptiles, birds, and plant remains, resulting in their remarkably well-preserved state.

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The researchers studied the fossils’ physical characteristics and compared them to those of living plant families that shared similarities. In contrast to the 1969 find, the specimen at UC Berkeley preserved leaves, flowers, and fruits that were unlike any plant related to ginseng. In fact, the researchers could not find a match among the over 400 living and extinct families of flowering plants.

In 1969, scientists examined the original fossils and focused on leaves, not flowers, fruits, or branches. Based on the patterns of veins on the leaves, they initially believed the plant’s structure might be similar to that of ginseng plants. However, with the addition of more detailed information from the newer fossil, the researchers gained a more accurate picture of the plant’s appearance and ruled out the ginseng connection. Nonetheless, they still couldn’t firmly establish the plant’s family.

Shortly after that, the Florida Museum of Natural History had the opportunity to use more advanced microscopy and artificial intelligence technology, making it possible to observe the fossilized plant even more closely. With this better look, the researchers were able to spot tiny impressions of immature seeds within the fossil’s fruit. They could also see the stamens, which are the male reproductive parts of flowers, on the fossil.

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findings, which have surprised scientists and ultimately led to the discovery of extinct groups.