Jehol sequoia (Sequoia jeholensis)

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Sequoia jeholensis - Extinct Jurassic Redwood Species

Fossil remains of Sequoia jeholensis provide crucial insights into the deep-time evolutionary history of redwood trees. This prehistoric conifer represents one of the earliest known ancestral species within the genus Sequoia.

Scientific evidence indicates that this redwood existed during the Middle Jurassic and Early Cretaceous periods, spanning from approximately 174.7 to 118.9 million years ago. Discoveries of its fossils suggest that the genus may have originated in East Asia before dispersing globally.

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 jeholensis (Jehol sequoia)

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Morphology

Physical characteristics of Sequoia jeholensis have been reconstructed from fossilized branchlets. The species exhibits specific foliage details that link it closely to modern redwoods:

  • Holotype Specimen: The type fossil consists of a well-preserved branchlet measuring approximately 15 centimeters in length and 1 centimeter in width.
  • Leaf Arrangement: Foliage features ordinary leaves spirally arranged in two distinct ranks, displaying a linear to lance-shaped morphology with a decurrent base and a slightly furrowed midrib.
  • Scaly Leaves: Scale-like leaves are present at the base of lateral shoots, representing early spring growth.

Applications

Research on this prehistoric conifer plays a key role in understanding the phytogeographic distribution of Cupressaceae. Its presence in the fossil record aids in dating stratigraphic layers of the Haifanggou and Jiufotang formations.

Interesting facts

The discovery of this ancient conifer reshaped our understanding of redwood evolution:

  • Ancient Origin: It pushed the known evolutionary history of the genus Sequoia back into the Jurassic period.
  • East Asian Origin: The fossils suggest the redwood lineage might have originated in what is now China rather than North America.
  • First Description: Japanese paleobotanist Seido Endo first described the species in 1951 from the Lycoptera beds in Liaoning.

Geography of distribution

  • China

Sources

  • Plants of the World Online (POWO)
  • Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
  • World Flora Online (WFO)
  • Endo, S. (1951). Sequoia from south Manchuria oldest in the world. Transactions and Proceedings of the Paleontological Society of Japan.

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF

See also

Coast Redwood

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