Lucknow/Assam, India | In a remarkable paleobotanical discovery, scientists have found compelling evidence that the Kewda plant (Pandanus)—renowned for its fragrance, culinary uses, traditional medicine, and religious significance—has existed on the Indian subcontinent for at least 24 million years. The discovery was made through the study of well-preserved fossil leaves recovered from the Makum Coalfield in Assam, revealing that the ancient plant flourished in India’s tropical forests long before the emergence of modern humans.
The findings also suggest that India served as a crucial refuge for ancient tropical plant lineages during periods of dramatic global climate change, helping preserve species that disappeared from many other parts of the world.
A Landmark Scientific Discovery
The research was conducted by scientists at the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), Lucknow, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.
Researchers Harshita Bhatia and Gaurav Srivastava collected four exceptionally preserved fossil leaves, estimated to be 24 million years old, from the Tikak Parbat Formation in Assam’s Makum Coalfield.
Using detailed morphological and microscopic analyses, the team determined that the fossils closely resemble the modern Kewda (Pandanus) plant.
Fossils Match Modern Kewda Plants
Scientists identified several distinctive features shared by both the fossilized and living plants, including:
- Long sword-shaped leaves
- Parallel leaf veins
- Sharp marginal spines
- Characteristic M-shaped cross-sectional structure
- Prominent central vein
These unique characteristics confirmed that the fossils belong to the Pandanaceae family, to which the modern Kewda plant belongs.
The researchers also compared the fossils with specimens preserved in herbaria, botanical databases, and fossil records from around the world, strengthening the identification.
Older Than Human Civilization—and Even the Himalayas
The discovery reveals that the Kewda plant lineage predates human civilization by millions of years and was already growing in the Indian subcontinent long before modern humans appeared.
The fossils also indicate that this ancient plant existed before the Himalayan mountain range reached its present geological form, highlighting its extraordinary evolutionary history.
India Served as a Safe Haven for Ancient Plants
Today, Pandanus species are mainly found in tropical and subtropical regions across Asia and the Pacific.
However, fossil evidence from Europe and North America, dating back 85 to 66 million years, shows that members of this plant family were once widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Scientists explain that approximately 34 million years ago, Earth’s climate became significantly cooler, causing the plant to disappear from many regions.
The newly discovered fossils from Assam demonstrate that India acted as an ecological refuge, allowing this ancient lineage to survive while it vanished elsewhere.
Published in an International Scientific Journal
The research has been published in the internationally recognized journal Geobios.
According to the study, the discovery fills an important gap in the evolutionary history of the Pandanaceae family by connecting ancient fossil records from Europe and North America with more recent fossil evidence from Tropical Asia and Australia.
The study provides valuable insight into:
- Plant evolution
- Ancient tropical ecosystems
- Climate adaptation
- Biodiversity conservation
- Earth’s geological history
Scientific Importance
Researchers believe the findings will help scientists better understand:
- How tropical plant species evolved over millions of years.
- The impact of global climate change on ancient ecosystems.
- The development of India’s rich biodiversity.
- How ancient plants responded to changing environmental conditions.
- The role of India as a biodiversity refuge during major climatic transitions.
The discovery reinforces the idea that the Indian subcontinent has long been one of the world’s most important centers for preserving ancient plant diversity.
American Scientists React
Dr. Michael Thompson, a paleobotanist at the University of California, Berkeley, called the discovery highly significant.
“These fossil leaves provide exceptional evidence of long-term tropical plant survival. They demonstrate that India played a critical role in preserving ancient plant lineages during periods of global climatic upheaval.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Emily Carter, an evolutionary botanist from Harvard University, said:
“Finding such well-preserved Pandanus fossils is extraordinarily rare. This discovery strengthens our understanding of how ancient tropical ecosystems evolved and highlights India’s importance in conserving biodiversity over geological time.”
Looking Ahead
Scientists believe the Assam fossils will become an important reference for future research into plant evolution, paleoclimate, and ancient ecosystems. As researchers continue exploring India’s fossil-rich regions, further discoveries may reveal even deeper insights into the origins of tropical vegetation and the resilience of plant life through millions of years of environmental change.
The study not only enhances scientific understanding of the Kewda plant’s evolutionary history but also underscores India’s enduring role as one of the world’s oldest and most significant reservoirs of tropical biodiversity.
