Myristicaceae are often called relict species, or ‘living fossils’. Taxonomists believe this could be one of the oldest flowering plants families still in existence!

Scientists often examine DNA sequences to estimate the age of evolutionary events in a process called molecular dating. Such technology suggests that the evolution of Myristicaceae species is fairly recent—only 21 mya. Yet the distribution of members of this family globally tells a different story… Today, the roughly 500 Myristicaceae species are found on all ex-Gondwana landmasses that currently have tropical forests (South America, Africa, Madagascar, India, Southeast Asia). Could this mean that these species evolved before Gondwanaland broke up into present-day continents?

Flowering plants probably first appeared in the fossil record about 150 mya—during the age of dinosaurs—coinciding with the breakup of Gondwanaland into separate continents. By the time the dinosaurs vanished 65 mya, at the end of the Cretaceous period, tropical forests were widespread across the globe. These drifting continents, including the Indian landmass, therefore would have carried ancestors of today’s flowering plant families.

Significantly, despite great geographical distances separating Myristicaceae members, there are still striking similarities between species. Wherever they occur, they are characterised by their evergreen nature, beetle pollination, and fleshy fruit with a large seed enveloped in a brightly coloured aril (seed coat). This aril makes it attractive to a number of large-beaked ancient birds around the globe, like toucans in tropical South America, and hornbills in Africa and Asia.

Research on the age and origin of Myristicacea species is still inconclusive. Time and effort hold the keys to all the pieces of this fascinating forest puzzle.