extinct species flowering plant member genus fossil material assigned taxon originates northeastern china dated early cretaceous million years ago species originally described pitcher plant close extant members family earliest known plant known fossil record pitcher plants possible exception uncertain affinity oldest known genera flowering plants wrote existence highly derived early cretaceous suggests originated earlier maybe molecular clock studies suggested subsequent authors questioned identification pitcher plant etymology generic derived greek ancient combining form latin pitcher specific epithet derived latin long neck reference characteristic pitcher like structures species fossil material known fossil material originates western china early cretaceous beds constitute lower dated million years old specimens found including description plant growing height stem long wide bore distinctive vertical ridges grooves pitcher like structures form long mature pitchers pitchers like leaves arranged stem pitchers consisted tubular base expanded middle section mouth vertical shaped lid single wing ran pitcher parallel major veins present pitchers veins numerous small unusual bag like structures present pitcher central wing similar semi circular structures found margin lid structures exhibited strong yellow green exposed visible light blue green tiny approximately diameter found inner surface pitchers partially embedded grooves veins showed strong golden yellow single seed found associated fossil material presumed belong species winged morphology closely resembling seeds taxa seed oval shaped covered black brown measures taxonomy fossil material subjected chemical analysis considered key marker detected specimens suggesting belong pitcher plant interpretation according morphological features indicate close relationship taxa exhibit pitcher wings smooth pitchers extend vertically short suggests similar modern shares species spiral arrangement pitchers like tubular leaves parallel major veins shows resemblance species genus having pitchers long neck upright lid particular note similarity thick semi circular structures lid large bubble present upper posterior portion pitchers mentions discovery type pitcher plant formation variety differs type material having pitchers lack mouth instead gradually expanding hollow trumpet like shape suggests different species intermediate form wider neck reported suggesting plants group early cretaceous current understanding opined pitcher plant interpretation problematic fossil need revision book south america summarised current thinking follows doubt emerging reduces likelihood belongs lineage pitcher plant representative earliest flowering plants earth unlikely represents ancestor old advanced crown group belong contradiction evidence suggest evolved outside new world extant members family endemic forward new perspective follows described like pitcher plant mid early cretaceous formation province northeastern china investigation specimens provides new insights identity morphology pitcher plants claimed demonstrate pitchers insect induced leaf consist components chamber intermediate zone tissue wall like represents insect leaves previously reported habitat area inhabited thought experienced significant climatic fluctuations early cretaceous ranging arid semi arid humid conditions substrate region composed sediments volcanic rocks
Archaeamphora