News Paleontology

Insect bites in plant fossils reveal leaves could fold shut millions of years ago

Flower-producing and seed-producing plants developed the folding ability independently

A fossilized leaf of the extinct plant Gigantonoclea guizhouensis, with holes in pairs along the center

This symmetrical damage to a fossilized leaf of the extinct plant Gigantonoclea guizhouensis was the result of insects munching on the leaf while it was folded, scientists say.

Z. Feng et al/Current Biology 2023

By Carolyn Gramling

As early as 252 million years ago, some plants may have curled up their leaves at night for a cozy “sleep.