New Study Rewrites Evolutionary History of Jamun, Establishes India as Key Origin Centre 80 Million Years Ago

In a groundbreaking discovery that reshapes long-held scientific assumptions, researchers have traced the evolutionary origins of Syzygium—commonly known as Jamun—much further back in time, identifying India as a central hub in its early diversification. The study suggests that the genus originated in East Gondwana nearly 80 million years ago, significantly predating earlier estimates and redefining global plant evolutionary history.

The findings challenge the widely accepted belief that Syzygium originated in Australia or Southeast Asia around 51 million years ago, highlighting instead a much older and more complex biogeographic trajectory rooted in the Indian subcontinent.

Fossil Evidence Bridges Evolutionary Gaps

The study was led by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in collaboration with national and international research institutions including AcSIR and Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Researchers identified inconsistencies between earlier fossil evidence and molecular phylogenetic timelines, prompting a fresh investigation. A key breakthrough came with the discovery of new Early Miocene fossils (~20 million years old) from the Kasauli Formation in Himachal Pradesh, which provided critical data to reassess the genus's origin and dispersal.

Advanced Scientific Methods Strengthen Findings

The research team employed a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, including:

• Microscopic examination and morphological analysis of fossil leaves

• Comparative studies using herbarium collections and global plant databases

• Statistical validation using 22 morphological characteristics

• Re-examination of previously reported fossils dating from 60 to 20 million years ago

Through this rigorous methodology, scientists identified 11 well-preserved fossil leaves belonging to a new species named Syzygium paleosalicifolium Sadanand, Bhatia et Srivastava.

Evidence of Continuous Presence in India Since 55 Million Years

The study's findings reveal that Syzygium existed in the Indian region as early as the Early Eocene (~55 million years ago), indicating a long and continuous evolutionary presence. This evidence positions India not merely as a transit zone but as a primary centre of origin and diversification.

From this base, the genus is believed to have later dispersed to Southeast Asia and Australia, effectively rewriting its global biogeographic history.

Implications for Climate Science and Biodiversity Research

Beyond revising plant evolutionary timelines, the study holds significant implications for understanding ancient climates and ecosystems. By reconstructing vegetation patterns over millions of years, scientists can gain deeper insights into:

• Historical climate transitions

• Biodiversity evolution across Asia

• Future climate change projections

Such research is critical for informed ecological planning, conservation strategies, and sustainable management of plant biodiversity.

Strengthening India's Role in Global Scientific Research

Published in the Journal of Palaeogeography, the study underscores India's growing contribution to global research in palaeobotany, evolution, and biogeography. It also highlights the importance of re-evaluating fossil records using modern analytical techniques to uncover hidden scientific narratives.

The findings reinforce India's position as a key region in the evolutionary history of tropical flora and open new avenues for further research into plant diversification and migration patterns.

The full study can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jop.2026.100343

A Landmark Discovery in Plant Evolution

This discovery not only deepens our understanding of Jamun—a culturally and economically important fruit—but also transforms scientific perspectives on how plant species evolved and spread across continents.

As researchers continue to explore India's rich fossil heritage, more such revelations are expected to redefine the global understanding of biodiversity and evolutionary history.

Tags: Jamun origin, Syzygium evolution, Birbal Sahni Institute, palaeobotany, plant evolution India, fossil discovery, Miocene fossils, biodiversity research, climate history, Journal of Palaeogeography, Gondwana, evolutionary biology