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An ancient plant that grew underwater, located in what is now known as modern day Europe, may have been the worlds first known flowering plant.
Have you ever bought flowers for a family member, loved one or friend? Chances are it may have originated from a species called the Montsechia vidalii, an ancient underwater plant. Researchers have been studying fossils retrieved from limestone deposits in central Spain and the Pyrenees.
The plant, Montsechia vidalii resembles a pond weed, but bore fruit containing a single seed – a defining characteristic of a flowering plant.
However, as explained by botanist David Dilcher, a “first flower” is as much of a myth as a “first human”. What we do know is that this Montsechia is more ancient than previously known oldest flower, the Archaefructus, found in china.
References
The original article ‘Ancient underwater plant could be worlds first flower’ by the BBC US and Canada is available here: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33969640