An international team of scientists from the Universities of Hannover and Bonn discovered 123-million-year-old pollen from flowering plants in Portugal, making it the oldest known to date. This finding, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, pushes back the appearance of flowers on Earth by 2 million years earlier than previously thought, rewriting the history of plant evolution.

Discovery in the Lusitanian Basin

In the shallow marine deposits of the Lusitanian Basin in Portugal, researchers found tricolpate pollen from eudicots—a group that accounts for about 72% of all modern flowering plants. To precisely determine its age, the team employed advanced techniques, including laser scanning microscopy and isotopic analysis. These methods confirmed that the pollen dates to the mid-Cretaceous period, approximately 123 million years ago.

Solving Darwin’s “Abominable Mystery”

Charles Darwin referred to the sudden emergence and rapid spread of flowering plants (angiosperms) during the Cretaceous period as an “abominable mystery.” This new discovery helps explain this phenomenon, demonstrating that flowering plants began actively evolving earlier than previously assumed. It confirms their rapid evolution and adaptation, which transformed Earth’s ecosystems, fostering the emergence of new insect and animal species.

Rethinking Theories on the Origin of Flowers

The discovery in Portugal, located in mid-latitudes, challenges the hypothesis that flowering plants originated solely in the tropics. Scientists now suggest that their initial range was much broader, spanning diverse climatic zones. This finding points to a more complex picture of angiosperm dispersal and adaptation to varied conditions.

The Role of Tectonics in Plant Evolution

The new dating method used in the study opens prospects for reevaluating the evolutionary history of plants. Scientists believe that tectonic processes, such as continental drift and climate changes during the Cretaceous period, may have played a crucial role in the development of flowering plants. Understanding these processes will deepen insights into how geological changes shaped modern flora.

Conclusion

The discovery of the oldest known pollen from flowering plants in Portugal takes us back 123 million years to when the first flowers began adorning the Earth. This not only resolves one of evolution’s mysteries but also prompts a reexamination of the origin and spread of angiosperms. The new data highlight the complexity of life’s history on our planet and pave the way for further research to uncover even more secrets of the plant world.