The tiny flower above – around 4 mm in diameter – belonged to a tree that lived 100 million years ago in what was then the island of Greater India. The tree was a member of a species dubbed Tropidogyne pentaptera, which scientists believe was a rainforest tree related to the Ceropetalum genus found today in Australian and Papua New Guinea.
The specimen was found in Myanmar with six others, preserved in amber. Georges Poinar, the scientists who described the flowers, speculates that a passing dinosaur may have knocked the flowers into a pool of resin from an araucaria tree that fossilised over time into amber.
Originally published by Cosmos as A 100-million-year-old flower
Cosmos
Curated content from the editorial staff at Cosmos Magazine.
Read science facts, not fiction...
There’s never been a more important time to explain the facts, cherish evidence-based knowledge and to showcase the latest scientific, technological and engineering breakthroughs. Cosmos is published by The Royal Institution of Australia, a charity dedicated to connecting people with the world of science. Financial contributions, however big or small, help us provide access to trusted science information at a time when the world needs it most. Please support us by making a donation or purchasing a subscription today.