10 extinct plants from Earth and the stories behind their disappearance

Time of India

14-06-2025

In the history of our planet, many plant species have flourished and faded away but never before has extinction been so closely tied to the activities of humans. In this article, we will discover ten unique plants that once thrived in the diverse ecosystems on Earth in which some are ancient and some are relatively recent as well.
Each plant tells a story of environmental change, exploitation or ecological imbalance and we can say that it is a warning from nature's side to stop activities that are exploiting it. Their disappearances offer more than just botanical history as they serve as reminders of how wide biodiversity can be.
How plants like Franklinia, Silphium, and more disappeared from Earth
Araucarioxylon arizonicum
Araucarioxylon arizonicum was a giant plant species that lived on Earth for around 225 million years ago during the Late Triassic period and it reached a height of over 200 feet as well.
Today, its fossilized remains are preserved in Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park. The reason for the extinction of this tree species was the dramatic climate changes and ecological shifts over millions of years. Although it no longer exists today but its stunning trunks offer a rare glimpse into prehistoric plant life on Earth which help the scientists to understand ancient ecosystems and remind us of nature's evolution.
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Source: Alamy
Atriplex tularensis
Atriplex tularensis was a rare flowering plant which was native to the Central Valley of California. It thrived in saline and alkaline soils and particularly in seasonal wetlands around the Tulare Lake. Thus, this unique habitat has supported its survival until agricultural expansion in the 20th century that led to widespread land drainage and habitat destruction. The natural salt flattened with the increase in farming which was the main reason for the extinction of this plant species.
It was last seen in 1991 and is now extinct in the wild and the loss of this plant species highlights the impact of habitat alteration on specialized species and the importance of protecting ecosystems on the planet.
Source: Earth.com
Calamites
Calamites is an extinct genus of plants that look like trees and had thrived during the Carboniferous period for about 300 million years ago. They are related to modern horsetails as these plants could grow up to 20 meters tall.
Calamites had hollow jointed stems and they reproduced using spores rather than seeds which is a unique aspect of them as well. They played a crucial role in ancient ecosystems as they stabilized the wetlands and contributed to the formation of today's coal deposits.
Calamites eventually went extinct as the climate of the Earth changed and also because of the decline of swamp forest that marked the end of these plants in Earth's history.
Source: Wikipedia
Cooksonia
Cooksonia is one of the earliest known vascular plants that have been on the planet for about 425 million years ago in the Silurian period. These tiny leafless plants were among the first to develop specialized tissues for transporting water and nutrients which allowed them to colonize land successfully. It had simple branching stems which ended in spore-producing structures but had no roots or leaves as most of the plants on Earth.
Though they were small but it paved the way for the evolution of more complex plants and terrestrial ecosystems. Cooksonia eventually went extinct because of the environmental changes on Earth.
Source: Wikipedia
Franklinia alatamaha
Franklinia alatamaha was a small flowering tree which was native to the Altamaha River valley in the USA. It was discovered in the 18th century and was known for its beautiful white blossoms and glossy leaves. The cause of its extinction in nature is still uncertain but it is believed to be linked to the factors like habitat destruction, disease or changes in soil conditions.
Although they are extinct now but it survives today through cultivation which makes it a unique example of a plant that was saved from total extinction by proper human care.
Source: Wikipedia
Glossopteris
Glossopteris was a widespread genus of seed ferns that thrived during 300 to 250 million years ago in the Paleozoic Era especially in the southern supercontinent of Gondwana. It is recognizable by its distinctive tongue-shaped leaves and has played a crucial role in ancient coal-forming forests that helped scientists to support the theory of continental drift due to its presence across the now separated continents.
This plant went extinct at the end of the Permian period because of the massive climate changes and this was the largest mass extinction event in the history of Earth. Thus, it remains an important fossil to understand the prehistoric ecosystems and the evolution of seed plants.
Source: Prehistoric Earth Wiki
Nesiota elliptica
Nesiota elliptica was a small flowering tree which was native exclusively to the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. It was valued for its attractive and glossy leaves as well as for the delicate white flowers as it was once part of the island's unique ecosystem.
However, the reason behind its extinction are the factors like habitat loss, invasive species and grazing animals. Even after the conservation efforts, it was declared extinct by the late 20th century.
Its extinction highlights the vulnerability of island species to environmental disturbances.
Source: POWO
Orbexilum stipulatum
Orbexilum stipulatum was a rare leguminous plant which was native to a small area on Rock Island in Kentucky. It depended on specific habitat conditions which were maintained by grazing buffalo that helped in keeping the vegetation in check.
When buffalo populations started declining and the habitat altered by human activities in the 19th century, these species started to decline and were last seen in the year 1881.
Its extinction sets an example of how the loss of animal species and habitat changes can directly impact survival of plants by emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the delicate balance that are needed to preserve biodiversity.
Source: Wikipedia
Sigillaria
Sigillaria was a type of tall plant that was similar to trees. They thrived on our planet during the Carboniferous period which was around 300 million years ago and contributed significantly to the coal deposits that we see today. Sigillaria reproduced using spores and also had shallow roots. With the end of the Carboniferous period and change in climate, these swampy environments disappeared which was the reason for the extinction of these plant species.
But today, their fossils help scientists to understand the prehistoric ecosystems and the origins of coal-forming forests.
Source: Wikipedia
Sophora toromiro
Sophora toromiro was a small flowering tree which was native to Easter Island and it was once a vital part of the island's unique ecosystem but it vanished in the 1960s due to various factors such as deforestation, overgrazing by introduced animals and habitat loss. Although it no longer grows naturally but these species survive today through cultivation that are preserved by botanical gardens and various conservation programs.
Its story highlights the fragility of island ecosystems and shows the importance of active efforts in order to protect and restore endangered plants before they vanish completely from the planet.
Source: Wikipedia
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