Guide to Ancient and Extinct Flowers from the Dinosaur Era
The history of flowers on Earth dates back to the time of dinosaurs. Many ancient varieties still exist today, while others have gone extinct. This florist guide explores flowers that have survived since the dinosaur era and those that have disappeared forever.
1. Flowers That Have Survived Since the Dinosaur Era
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)
Ginkgo is one of the oldest living plant species, with a history of over 200 million years.
It was widespread during the Jurassic period and was a dominant plant of the dinosaur era.
Today, ginkgo trees still exist and are widely used in medicine and horticulture.
Magnolia (Magnolia species)
Magnolia dates back over 100 million years, making it one of the earliest flowering plants of the dinosaur era.
Due to its primitive structure, it does not have nectar glands and relies on beetles for pollination.
Magnolia flowers remain popular as ornamental plants worldwide.
Water Lily (Nymphaea species)
The ancestors of water lilies trace back to the Cretaceous period, around 100 million years ago.
Their unique aquatic adaptation helped them survive various environmental changes over time.
Today, water lilies are still common in ponds and lakes worldwide.
Orchids (Orchidaceae family)
Fossil records indicate that orchids have existed for about 100 million years.
These flowers exhibit incredible diversity in shape and pollination strategies, allowing them to adapt to different environments.
Orchids remain one of the most popular flowering plants globally.
2. Flowers That Have Gone Extinct
Archaefructus (Archaefructus liaoningensis)
An extinct primitive flowering plant that lived around 125 million years ago in the Cretaceous period.
Believed to be an early ancestor of modern flowering plants.
Its fossils were discovered in Liaoning Province, China.
Franklinia (Franklinia alatamaha)
A beautiful white-flowered tree native to North America, last seen in the wild in the 18th century.
While it has gone extinct in the wild, some botanical gardens have successfully cultivated it.
Silphium (Silphium)
This plant was widely used in ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, primarily for medicine and spices.
It became extinct around the 1st century AD due to overharvesting.
Romans valued its resin so highly that it was even used as currency.
Florida Torreya (Torreya taxifolia)
Once widely distributed across North America, this conifer species has become critically endangered due to disease and climate change.
Though cultivated specimens exist, its wild populations have nearly vanished.
The evolution of flowers has spanned millions of years, with some species surviving from the dinosaur era while others have vanished due to natural changes or human influence. These ancient and extinct flowers not only showcase the evolution of Earth’s ecosystems but also highlight the importance of preserving biodiversity today.
