Related Redwood (Sequoia affinis)

Florissant redwood
Silhouette: Michele M Tobias / License

Sequoia affinis - Extinct Oligocene Redwood of Florissant

Fossil deposits in the western United States preserve extensive remains of Sequoia affinis, a notable ancestor of modern redwoods. This species represents an important evolutionary link within the subfamily Sequoioideae during the Eocene and Oligocene epochs.

Specimens have been extensively documented from the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Colorado. Scientists suggest that this species may be a direct ancestor to both the modern coast redwood and the giant sequoia.

Taxonomy

  • ∟ царство Plantae
  • ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
  • ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
  • ∟ superclass Gymnospermae (Gymnosperms)
  • ∟ division Pinophyta
  • ∟ subclass Cupressidae
  • ∟ order Cupressales (Cypresses and junipers)
  • ∟ family Cupressaceae (Cypress Family)
  • ∟ subfamily Sequoioideae (Sequoias)
  • ∟ genus Sequoia (Coast redwood)
  • ∟ species Sequoia affinis (Related Redwood)

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Morphology

Botanical details of Sequoia affinis reveal distinct variations from its living relatives. Fossilized material indicates unique structural features:

  • Stems and Stumps: Fossilized stumps show evidence of vegetative reproduction, including clonal basal shoot trios originating from a single parent tree.
  • Foliage: The branches feature spreading, delicate leaves that are significantly thinner than those of the modern coast redwood.
  • Cones and Pollen: Female cones are small, measuring only 50% to 70% of the length of modern Sequoia sempervirens cones, while fossilized pollen is recovered from lake-sediment shales.

Applications

Paleobotanical studies of this species provide essential data for reconstructing Tertiary climates and ecosystems. Its fossils serve as excellent educational exhibits displaying ancient forest structures.

Interesting facts

Several fascinating aspects characterize the fossil record of this ancient redwood:

  • Clonal Groves: Reconstructed stumps at Florissant showcase a trio of clonal shoots, showing that redwood sprouting behavior existed millions of years ago.
  • Early Postcards: Foliage specimens were featured on early 1920s educational postcards printed by the British Museum of Natural History.
  • Taxonomic Link: It bridges the morphological gap between the coast redwood and the giant sequoia, showing ancestral traits of both lineages.

Geography of distribution

  • United States

Sources

  • Plants of the World Online (POWO)
  • Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
  • World Flora Online (WFO)
  • Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument (National Park Service)
  • Meyer, H.W. & Manchester, S.R. (1997). The Oligocene Bridge Creek flora of the John Day Formation, Oregon.

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF

See also

Coast Redwood

Coast Redwood

Sequoia sempervirens

The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) is a massive conifer native to coastal California and Oregon. …

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True Araucarias

True Araucarias

Araucaria sect. Araucaria

Araucaria sect. Araucaria is a botanical section of evergreen conifers native to South America. It …

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