description Wattieza (Eospermatopteris) Overview
Wattieza was a tree-sized cladoxylopsid plant that lived during the Middle Devonian, roughly 385 million years ago. Fossil trunks historically called Eospermatopteris were discovered at Gilboa, New York, while later crown material allowed researchers to reconstruct the plant as a tall trunk topped by branches rather than modern leaves. These fossils provide evidence for some of the earliest known forests and for the structure of trees before seed plants became dominant.
help Wattieza (Eospermatopteris) FAQ
What is the connection between Wattieza and Eospermatopteris?
For decades, scientists only had fossilized tree trunks they named Eospermatopteris, discovered at Gilboa, New York, until they later found matching crown material. In 2007, researchers finally connected these trunks to the branches and leaves of a tree they named Wattieza, revealing the complete structure of the ancient plant.
How old are the Wattieza fossils found in New York?
The Wattieza fossils date back to the Middle Devonian period, making them roughly 385 million years old. They are considered part of one of the earliest known forests on Earth, predating the dinosaurs by hundreds of millions of years.
What did the Wattieza tree actually look like?
Unlike modern trees, the 25-foot-tall Wattieza looked more like a massive, tree-sized fern, featuring a trunk that flared at the base and a sparser crown of branches with fronds. It reproduced via spores rather than seeds, contrasting sharply with modern timber.
Where is the famous Gilboa fossil forest located?
The famous fossil forest is located in Gilboa, New York, an area renowned for its ancient Devonian rock formations. The site has yielded some of the most significant Eospermatopteris trunk base fossils, allowing paleontologists to reconstruct Earth's early forest ecosystems.
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