Underwater Plant the World's First Flower?

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.