Living Fossils: Examining Prehistoric Plant Species
A Look into Living Fossils and Prehistoric Plant Species
It’s easy to envision a living fossil as something from an ancient time, such as an archaeopteryx, a marine mollusk or a clam. But did you know that the term “living fossil” can also encompass plants? There are certain prehistoric plant species that have been around for millions of years and can still be found in their original form today.
What is a Living Fossil?
A living fossil is any species of organism that has been around, unchanged, for a very long period of time. It is the same as the species which existed millions of years ago. Due to various environmental and other pressures, they’ve been able to survive the test of time.
Prehistoric Plant Species
Some of the pre-historic plant species which are considered living fossils, include:
Cycads: Cycads are a prehistoric group of plants which have been around for hundreds of millions of years. They are a group of palm-like plants which often grow low to the ground and reproduce via cones.
Gingko: Also known as the Maidenhair Tree, Gingkos survived the ice age and have been around for at least 200 million years. Gingkos produce fan-like leaves which range in color from yellow to a deep green.
Gnetophytes:) Gnetophytes are rare, prehistoric plants which resemble gymnosperms, such as conifers. They are believed to be some of the oldest surviving plants on the planet and are believed to have developed during the Triassic period.
What Does This Mean?
These living fossils are incredibly important, as they help us learn more about our environment and the impact of evolutionary changes on our planet. In addition, they give us a glimpse into the past and help us understand how our planet has changed over time.
This article was composed by Jane Doe, a freelance science writer.