Scientists in Argentina say the beautifully-preserved fossil of a flower that was an ancient sunflower and daisy relative suggests that these plants may have bloomed for the first time in South America.

The fossil, showing two distinct flower heads, was found in 2002. But it took six years before a team of scientists began to delve into its importance.

Geologists and botanists have found that the complex flower structure was imbedded in rock that dates back 47.5 million years.

Characteristics of the plant, along with matched pollen samples, confirm it to be part of the aster family.

While scientists have previously found pollen fossils dating back to the same period, this is the earliest record of a fully developed flower head, complete with winged seeds.

One expert says there's a strong argument that these pods first blew out of Patagonia, before finding their way around the world.

Liliana Katinas, Botanist, said, "We have found a flower head who's pollen is at the base of the evolutionary tree -- without a doubt it's at the bottom. And where did we find it? We found it in Patagonia, in South America. Other scientists with other viewpoints were already proposing this place as the possible origin."

Scientists and assistants carefully catalogue plants and their pollen at this museum. Asters are some of the most attractive flowers for bees and other pollinators.

Drawing an analogy between the plant and animal kingdoms, Katinas likened the aster family to vertebrates, due to their evolutionary success and importance.

Experts say this find is akin to digging up the first dinosaur fossil, as it provides a new base for studying the aster family.

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