Summary
Megaflora (from Greek μέγας megas "large" and Neo-Latin flora "plant life") refers to an exceptionally large plant species. Examples [1] of megaflora include the Sequoioideae of California and a number of extinct plant species from the Mesozoic.
Culture edit
Most Proto-Indo-European mythologies feature Megaflora in the form of a World Tree, a Tree-of-Life, axis mundi, or Sacred Tree. Some examples are the Ashvattha in Hindu mythology, Yggdrasil in Norse mythology, and égig érő fa in Hungarian mythology. Notable texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Book of Genesis contain similar motifs, drawing inspiration from ancient iconography.[2]
Often symbolizing rootedness, spirituality and fruitfulness, these plants have become central to the high fantasy and science fiction genres. The Two Trees of Valinor from The Lord of The Rings and the Hometrees of Avatar are two mainstream examples.
Examples edit
- Africa
- Oceania
- Eurasia
- Central and South America
- North America
- Asia
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Martínez, L. C. A.; Pacheco Huacallo, E.; Pujana, R. R.; Padula, H. (2020-06-01). "A new megaflora (leaves and reproductive structures) from the Huancané Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Peru". Cretaceous Research. 110: 104426. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2020.104426. ISSN 0195-6671. S2CID 213340202.
- ^ Farmer, Jared (2010). "On Emblematic Megaflora". Environmental History. 15: 533–547.