**Executive Summary**
A study published on April 20, 2026, identifies India as a primary cradle for the evolution of Jamun (*Syzygium*), dating its East Gondwanan origin back approximately 80 million years. Led by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), researchers analyzed 20-million-year-old fossils from Himachal Pradesh to prove the genus existed in India long before dispersing to Australia and Southeast Asia. These findings rewrite the biogeographic history of the species and provide critical data for predicting future climate scenarios and enhancing biodiversity conservation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Revision of Evolutionary Origins**
* The genus *Syzygium* (Jamun) is now linked to an East Gondwanan origin dating back ~80 million years, far earlier than previous estimates of ~51 million years.
* Contrary to earlier beliefs that the genus originated in Australia or Southeast Asia, evidence shows India acted as a major center for early diversification.
* Reinvestigation of fossil records confirms the continuous presence of the genus in the Indian region since the early Eocene (~55 million years ago).
**Fossil Discovery and Identification**
* Researchers discovered 11 well-preserved fossil leaves in the Kasauli Formation of Himachal Pradesh, dating to the Early Miocene (~20 million years ago).
* The new fossil species has been named *Syzygium paleosalicifolium* Sadanand, Bhatia et Srivastava.
* The specimens were found in shale beds deposited by braided river systems under humid climatic conditions.
**Research Methodology**
* Scientists utilized microscopy and detailed morphological characterization, focusing on 22 distinct characters including leaf shape, size, and venation patterns.
* Quantitative statistical methods were applied to compare fossils with modern plant species and global herbarium databases to validate taxonomic placement.
* The study involved a critical re-examination of previously reported fossils from the Paleogene and Neogene periods (60–20 million years ago).
**Scientific and Ecological Significance**
* The research provides a continuous evolutionary timeline that clarifies the dispersal history of an ecologically and economically important plant group.
* The study contributes to global research on biogeography and strengthens the understanding of India’s role in the biodiversity of Asian floras.
**Impact Analysis**
**Scientific Researchers and Palaeobotanists**
**Impact**
This group is impacted by the fundamental shift in the understood timeline and geographical origin of the *Syzygium* genus, necessitating a revision of existing evolutionary frameworks.
**Action Required**
Researchers must update global databases and evolutionary models to reflect the East Gondwanan origin and the 80-million-year timeline established by this study.
**Climate Scientists and Ecological Planners**
**Impact**
The findings provide historical data on how vegetation responded to climate changes over millions of years, which is vital for environmental forecasting.
**Action Required**
Stakeholders should utilize these insights into past vegetation shifts to improve the accuracy of future climate scenario predictions and biodiversity conservation strategies.
**Educational and Governmental Institutions (DST, BSIP, and Universities)**
**Impact**
The study enhances the global research reputation of Indian institutions and highlights the Kasauli Formation as a significant site for palaeontological study.
**Action Required**
Institutions should continue to support and fund exploration of Early Miocene sedimentary sequences to further elucidate plant evolutionary history.
Key Entities Referenced
Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP): An autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology that led the scientific study identifying India as a major center for Jamun (Syzygium) evolution.
Department of Science and Technology (DST): The nodal government department that oversees the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences and its research initiatives.
Kasauli Formation, Himachal Pradesh: The geological site where researchers discovered 20-million-year-old Miocene fossils essential to re-evaluating the origin of the genus Syzygium.
Journal of Palaeogeography: The scientific publication that released the research findings regarding India's role in plant evolution and biodiversity.
Ministry of Science & Technology
India Emerges as Cradle of Jamun Evolution
Posted On: 20 APR 2026 5:41PM by PIB Delhi
Jamun, has been found to have originated much earlier than previously believed, with India playing a
central role in its evolutionary history according to a new study.
The study which points at East Gondwanan origin of the genus Syzygium, dating back to ~80 million
years ago with India acting as a major centre of early diversification, reshapes our understanding of plant
evolution.
The origin of Syzygium (commonly known as Jamun) was earlier believed to be restricted to Australia or
Southeast Asia. However, researchers spotted inconsistencies between fossil evidence and molecular
phylogenetic timelines of around 51 million years ago origin estimates. Additionally, earlier fossil reports
from India ranging from around 60 to 20 million years ago had not been comprehensively reassessed.
The discovery of new Miocene fossils (~20 million years ago) provided an opportunity to re-evaluate the
origin and dispersal history of Syzygium in an integrated framework.
In a study led by Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institute of the
Department of Science and Technology (DST) along with Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research
(AcSIR), Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Department of
Geology, Birendra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Chitwan, Bharatpur, researchers collected
fossil specimens from the Kasauli Formation around 20 million years ago in Himachal Pradesh following
initial exploration of Early Miocene sedimentary sequences conducted to elucidate plant evolutionary
history.
Fig 1: Map showing the fossil locality from where the fossil leaves were collected
These were analysed using microscopy and detailed morphological characterization. The scientists carried
out comparative analysis using herbarium collections and global databases. Statistical methods were
applied to validate taxonomic placement. Additionally, previously reported fossils from Paleogene andNeogene deposits (60–20 million years ago) were critically re-examined to reconstruct a continuous
evolutionary timeline.
Detailed analysis of fossil leaf morphology, including shape, size, and venation patterns, comparison with
modern plant species using quantitative statistical methods and analysis based on 22 morphological
characters helped accurate identification and evolutionary interpretation of the fossils.
A total of 11 well-preserved fossil leaves of Syzygium from the Early Miocene (20 million years ago)
deposits of India named as Syzygium paleosalicifolium Sadanand, Bhatia et Srivastava was found. A
reinvestigation of earlier fossil records from India indicates that the genus was already present in the
Indian region since the early Eocene (55 million years ago), demonstrating a much earlier and continuous
presence in India. From here, the genus is believed to have dispersed to Southeast Asia and Australia,
rewriting the biogeographic history of this ecologically and economically important plant group.
The study published in Journal of Palaeogeography, provides important insights into India’s role in plant
evolution and biodiversity of Asian floras. Understanding past vegetation and climate changes over
millions of years helps improve predictions of future climate scenarios. It also contributes to biodiversity
conservation, ecological planning, and strengthens India’s contribution to global research on evolution and
biogeography.
Publication link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jop.2026.100343
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