Now, researchers have captured a glimpse of that evolutionary process with the discovery of a new ancient plant species. But before plants achieved these elaborate specializations for sex, they went through millions of years of evolution.
In a brilliant dance, a cornucopia of flowers, pinecones, and acorns connected by wind, rain, insects and animals ensure the reproductive future of seed plants. Researchers have discovered an ancient plant species whose reproductive biology captures the evolution from one to two spore sizes – an essential transition to the success of the seed and flowering plants we depend on. In this image of one of the new ancient species’ reproductive structures, elliptical impressions of sporangia can be seen in one row, while on the top, another row displays preserved carbonized spore masses.
