100-million-year-old fossilized flowers found

Researchers from Oregon State University have discovered a fossilized record of reproduction. The amber found contained an extinct flower.

According to The Science Daily News, the research has been published in the Journal of the Botanical Institute of Texas.

The International Business Times reports that the flower dates back to the mid-Cretaceous period and named Micropetasos burmensis. The research says that the fossil was found in the mine Myanmar, previously known as Burma.

The fossil contains 18 plants in total, 10 can be studied. The flowers that were found are only missing petals. According to researchers, the reproduction process that in seen in the fossils found are the same that are used by modern plants.

This is the first mid-Cretaceous flower specimen that it was clear to see the pollen tube entering the stigma, showing reproduction.

“The evolution of flowering plants caused an enormous change in the biodiversity of life on Earth, especially in the tropics and subtropics,” according to George Poinar, a professor at OSU.

The flowers are in amazing condition for being practically 100 million years old. The cluster of flowers is one of the most complete ever found.

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