South American fossil tomatillos show nightshades evolved earlier than thought

The new fossil groundcherry Physalis infinemundi from Laguna del Hunco in Patagonia, Argentina,

52 million years old. This specimen displays the characteristic papery, lobed husk and details

of the venation [Credit: Ignacio Escapa, Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio]

The new fossil groundcherry Physalis infinemundi from Laguna del Hunco in Patagonia,

Argentina, 52 million years old. In this specimen, the former papery and lobed husk

is broken at top to reveal the large, fleshy berry underneath - now turned to coal

[Credit: Peter Wilf, Penn State]

Dried fruit specimens of a modern coastal groundcherry, Physalis angustifolia, from Florida, showing characteristic

lobes and venation similar to the new fossils from Patagonia [Credit: Peter Wilf, Penn State]

Labels Argentina, Fossils, Palaeontology, Patagonia

TANN

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