BSIP study traces Jamun's origin to East Gondwana about 80 million years ago, using fossils from Himachal's Kasauli Formation
A study led by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences, reported by the Science Ministry on 20 April 2026, points to an East Gondwanan origin of the Jamun genus Syzygium about 80 million years ago, with India a major centre of early diversification.
Summary
A study led by the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, points to an East Gondwanan origin of the genus Syzygium, commonly known as Jamun, about 80 million years ago, with India as a major centre of early diversification, the Ministry of Science and Technology said on 20 April 2026. Syzygium was earlier thought to have originated in Australia or Southeast Asia. Researchers, working with Tribhuvan University in Nepal, found 11 well-preserved fossil leaves about 20 million years old in the Kasauli Formation of Himachal Pradesh and named them Syzygium paleosalicifolium. Re-examining older Indian fossils, they concluded the genus has been present in the Indian region since the early Eocene, about 55 million years ago.
Key facts
- Genus
- Syzygium (Jamun)
- Origin
- East Gondwana, ~80 million years ago; India a major early centre
- Earlier view
- Origin in Australia or Southeast Asia
- New fossils
- 11 leaves, ~20 million years old, Kasauli Formation (HP)
- New species
- Syzygium paleosalicifolium
- Led by
- Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (DST)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The ~20-million-year-old Syzygium (Jamun) fossil leaves described in the BSIP study of 2026 were collected from the Kasauli Formation in which state?
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Correct answer: D — Himachal Pradesh
The fossils were collected from the Kasauli Formation in Himachal Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about the 2026 BSIP study on Jamun (Syzygium): 1. It supports the earlier view that the genus originated in Australia or Southeast Asia. 2. It indicates the genus has been present in the Indian region since the early Eocene, about 55 million years ago. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The study points to an East Gondwanan origin with India as a major early centre, revising the earlier Australia/Southeast Asia view, and finds the genus present in India since the early Eocene.