NOVA: the first flower
J.E. Shields (Wed, 18 Apr 2007 05:27:14 PDT)

Hi all,

Yes, I watched the NOVA program too, because I've long been interested in
the origins of the angiosperms (flowering plants).

And if I were 20 years younger, I'd want to go plant exploring in China
with you! Are Paige W. and Jim Waddick still putting on their plant tours
to China?

The monocots are now apparently thought to be a somewhat later branch from
the original dicot line of early angiosperms. I think they were once
thought to be a basal angiosperm group -- a mistake it seems, based on DNA.

There is a note in the March 31 issue of "Science News" (a weekly
newsletter or magazine) about what was thought to be a primitive grass,
Trithuria (Family Hydatellaceae), but which has turned out to be a very
primitive angiosperm, and quoting Doug Soltis, who was also shown on the
NOVA program.

It is really very satisfying to see thing coming together in a consistent
way, as paleobotanists piece together the history of the angiosperms.

Jim Shields
in sunny, mild central Indiana (USA) where it seems to once again be springtime

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Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd.
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Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA