When the Land Turned Green: The Maine Discovery of the First Land Plants

In the mid-1950s, a Harvard PhD student discovered a small fossil of a plant in a layer of black shale beside a mountain stream in northern Maine. This discovery would help scientists unlock the details of a major event in the history of our planet: the transition of plants to land. The 400-million-year-old, Devonian Era Pertica fossils have been found nowhere else on Earth but in an enigmatic rock formation deep in the Maine woods. Pertica was one of the very first land plants and is thought to have been the tallest of the time. The site of the fossils discovery lies in the shadow of an Eastern White Pine, which now takes the ancient plants place as the tallest plant on the land in the eastern United States.

Format: Hardback
Length: 178 pages
Publication date: 15 October 2022
Publisher: Gooseberry Patch

Deep within the rugged wilderness of northern Maine, in the mid-1950s, a young Harvard Ph.D. student ventured into a remote valley, armed with a mission to map the geology of Baxter State Park, spanning an impressive 300 square miles. As he waded down a mountain stream, his eyes caught sight of a series of peculiar rock formations, part of an enigmatic geologic formation that dated back hundreds of millions of years. Despite the nearby volcanic activity and massive land movements, this ancient geologic wonder remained relatively unchanged, leaving scientists puzzled and intrigued.

Continuing his exploration, the student stumbled upon another remarkable discovery. In a thin layer of black shale beside the stream, he unearthed a tiny fossil of a plant, a discovery that would shake the foundations of scientific knowledge. Little did he know, but his discovery of Perticaquadrifaria would unlock the secrets of a pivotal moment in Earth's history—the transition of plants from aquatic to terrestrial life, a phenomenon that continues to shape the Earth's vital life-supporting processes, including climate.

The 400-million-year-old Pertica fossils, found exclusively within the enigmatic rock formation deep in the Maine woods, hold a unique place in the annals of Earth's history. Pertica, one of the very first land plants, stood as the tallest of its time, towering above its contemporaries. Today, the site of this extraordinary discovery is overshadowed by an Eastern White Pine, which has claimed the mantle of the tallest plant on land in the eastern United States.

This captivating story delves into the tireless efforts of geologists and paleobotanists as they embark on a mission to unravel the mysteries of the land and uncover the ancient life forms that once inhabited it. It explores the intriguing hypothesis that Pertica and the Eastern White Pine may be related, raising questions about the past and offering glimpses into the future. Through their meticulous research and meticulous analysis, these scientists hope to shed light on the evolutionary journey of plants and the profound impact they have had on our planet.

The discovery of Perticaquadrifaria in the remote wilderness of northern Maine not only expands our understanding of Earth's history but also reminds us of the interconnectedness of all life forms. It serves as a reminder that even in the face of geological upheaval and environmental change, the legacy of ancient life persists, leaving a lasting imprint on the world we inhabit today.

Weight: 395g
Dimension: 238 x 162 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781684750320