Flowers in the Cretaceous Period

Illiciales

• Fossils from the upper Cretaceous period suggest a type of magnolia tree grew during this time. The specific type of flowering plant was known as the Illiciaceae from the subclass Magnoliidae. While the leaves are not identical to magnolia trees found today, the size, shape, stomata and cuticle of the leaves do suggest that they are of the same family.

Water Lilies

• Fossil evidence of water lilies, specifically the species Nymphaeaceae and Cabomaceae, have been discovered from approximately 125 to 155 million years ago during the early Cretaceous period. These water lily fossils are some of the oldest flower fossils found. The water lily grows on top of the water, providing shade to keep water temperature cool. The plant also helps to dissolve oxygen into the water and can provide protection to smaller aquatic animals.

Amborellaceae

• The flowering plants known as Amborellaceae are endemic to New Caledonia. This plant family today only contains one plant species, the Amborella trichopoda. All other types of Amborellaceae are extinct. This plant resembles a small tree or shrub. The flowers rely on insects such as beetles for pollination. Supposedly the oldest fossil of a flowering plant was of the Amborellaceae discovered in China.

Trimeniaceae

• The oldest fossil of the Trimeniaceae plant family is from the early Cretaceous period. This fossil is of an extinct species but it links the family to this time. There are two genus and six species within this plant family. Typically these are woody plants that grow in tropical and subtropical climates, such as the Pacific islands and Southeast Asia. These plants produce essential oils.