Fossils provide important insights about the existence and adaption of living organisms — over millions of years. Ancient plant fossils provide clues about climate conditions and environmental change.
Among the most interesting are Glossopteris leaf fossils, which have been found in Africa, South America, Australia, Antarctica, and parts of Asia — mostly India. With more than 70 identifiable species, this once prevalent plant is a valuable information source on Earth’s conditions, long before animal or human life.
1. Glossopteris Refers Specifically to the Leaves
The name comes from the Latin words “gloss(o),” which means tongue, and “pteris,” which means fern. The name reflects the appearance of the leaves, which are tongue-shaped and part of a plant in the fern family. The leaves had reticulate venation, a web-like pattern of interconnected veins. They also had a prominent midrib, which is a thick vein that runs down the center.
