Dinosaur-associated Poaceae epidermis and phytoliths from the Early Cretaceous of China

Grasses (Poaceae) are human's most important crop plants and among the most important extant clades of vascular plants. However, the origin and early evolution of grasses are controversial, with estimated ages from molecular dating ranging between 59 and 129 Ma (million years ago). Here we report the discovery of basalmost grasses from the late Early Cretaceous (Albian, 113-101 Ma) of China based on microfossils (silicified epidermal pieces and...