Scientists working in Peru have identified an ancient plant from the dinosaur era growing in Amazon forests that remain flooded year-round, a setting long considered unsuitable for this group of plants.
The discovery highlights plants’ ability to survive in extreme wetland conditions and raises concerns about protecting fragile swamp ecosystems.
Researchers documented the species in northern Peru’s Loreto region during fieldwork conducted in early 2025. The plant belongs to cycads, one of the oldest groups of seed plants on Earth.
Its lineage dates back more than 200 million years, when dinosaurs dominated the planet. While cycads are known for their resilience, most require well-drained soil. But this species does not.
An ancient plant from the dinosaur era survives year-round flooding
The newly described plant, named Zamia urarinorum, grows in permanently waterlogged forests along the Tigrillo and Urituyacu rivers. Scientists observed healthy individuals rooted in saturated soil, with lower stems submerged in standing water for long periods. In some cases, even the growing tip remained underwater without signs of damage.
Ricardo Zárate-Gómez of the Peruvian Amazon Research Institute said the finding changes scientific understanding of where cycads can survive. He explained that flooded soils usually lack oxygen, which causes roots of most land plants to fail. This species, however, remains active and shows no evidence of rot or decline.
Zamia urarinorum in open-canopy peatland pole forest habitat. A. Tall arborescent plant with Ricardo Zárate Gómez, Malcolm Jones, and Michael Calonje. B. Juvenile plant in waterlogged habitat, C. Lanceolate leaflets with inwardly curved margins typical of this open. pic.twitter.com/4GZO8VCuF3
— Tom Marvolo Riddle (@tom_riddle2025) February 25, 2026
Taxonomists confirmed the plant as a new species after comparing its leaves, cones and seeds with herbarium records and digital collections.
It closely resembles Zamia multidentata but differs in key features, including fewer leaves per stem, longer and narrower leaflets, and much smaller reproductive cones and seeds. Male and female cones grow on separate plants, making small populations especially vulnerable if habitats are disturbed.
The species was found on Indigenous lands managed by the Urarina people, whose stewardship has helped preserve large tracts of wetland forest. Researchers worked with residents of communities, including Raya Yacu, Nuevo Horizonte, and Puerto Rico, to document plant locations.
Wetland forests, carbon storage and rising conservation risks
The habitat where Zamia urarinorum grows includes peatlands and swamp forests that store large amounts of carbon. Scientists noted that these waterlogged soils slow decomposition and help keep carbon out of the atmosphere. Earlier studies estimate billions of tons of carbon are locked in the broader Pastaza-Marañón basin.
Despite the remote location, researchers warned that oil spills, proposed roads, agricultural expansion and drainage pose serious risks. Lowering water levels could quickly destroy the conditions the plant depends on.
Because the species is known from only a few sites, scientists recommended that it be classified as endangered under international conservation criteria. They stressed that protecting the plant also protects wetlands critical for climate stability and river systems.
Future studies will focus on mapping additional populations and understanding how the plant tolerates extreme flooding, while conservation decisions will determine whether its unique habitat remains intact.
