Teixeiria lusitanica, a new fossil flower from the Early Cretaceous of Portugal with affinities to Ranunculales

TY - JOUR

T1 - Teixeiria lusitanica, a new fossil flower from the Early Cretaceous of Portugal with affinities to Ranunculales

AU - Von Balthazar, M.

AU - Pedersen, K. Raunsgaard

AU - Friis, E. M.

PY - 2005/9

Y1 - 2005/9

N2 - A charcoalified fossil flower bud of a new genus and species (Teixeiria lusitanica) is described from the Early Cretaceous of Portugal. The flower is actinomorphic and unisexually male. At the base of the bud there are several bracts of different sizes, which are followed by sepal-like and petal-like tepals. Bracts and perianth organs seem to be arranged spirally and to exhibit transitions between different organ categories. The androecium has numerous stamens in two sizes, but with unclear arrangement. Pollen is small and tricolpate with a perforate tectum and a densely columellate infratectal layer. No carpels or remains of carpels could be observed on the floral axis. Teixeiria lusitanica shows most affinities to members of Ranunculales. There are also some similarities with Berberidopsis (Berberidopsidaceae, Berberidopsidales) and members of the Saxifragales (Hamamelidaceae and Daphniphyllaceae).

AB - A charcoalified fossil flower bud of a new genus and species (Teixeiria lusitanica) is described from the Early Cretaceous of Portugal. The flower is actinomorphic and unisexually male. At the base of the bud there are several bracts of different sizes, which are followed by sepal-like and petal-like tepals. Bracts and perianth organs seem to be arranged spirally and to exhibit transitions between different organ categories. The androecium has numerous stamens in two sizes, but with unclear arrangement. Pollen is small and tricolpate with a perforate tectum and a densely columellate infratectal layer. No carpels or remains of carpels could be observed on the floral axis. Teixeiria lusitanica shows most affinities to members of Ranunculales. There are also some similarities with Berberidopsis (Berberidopsidaceae, Berberidopsidales) and members of the Saxifragales (Hamamelidaceae and Daphniphyllaceae).

KW - Berberidopsidales

KW - Early Cretaceous

KW - Eudicots

KW - Flowers

KW - Fossils

KW - Portugal

KW - Ranunculales

KW - Saxifragales

KW - Teixeiria lusitanica

U2 - 10.1007/s00606-005-0347-z

DO - 10.1007/s00606-005-0347-z

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:26244450186

SN - 0378-2697

VL - 255

SP - 55

EP - 75

JO - Plant Systematics and Evolution

JF - Plant Systematics and Evolution

IS - 1-2

ER -