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17/08/2015 Scientists Identify Earth's Oldest Flowering Plant

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When Did the First Flower Bloom?

The fossil species is called Montsechia vidalii. It lived approximately 125 to 130 million years ago, in the Cretaceous period. Remains of Montsechia vidalii were first discovered over 100 years ago in limestone deposits in the Pyrenees and Iberian Mountains in Spain. Unfortunately, they were misinterpreted. Botanists failed to recognize their significance.