Reyispermum E.M.Friis, P.R.Crane et K.R.Pedersen

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN000094

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:94

Authors: E. M. Friis, P. R. Crane & K. R. Pedersen

Rank: genus

Reference: Friis, E. M., Crane, P. R. & Pedersen, K. R. (2018): Extinct taxa of exotestal seeds close to Austrobaileyales and Nymphaeales from the Early Cretaceous of Portugal. – Fossil Imprint 74(1–2): 135–158.

Page of description: 144

Type

Original diagnosis/description

Isolated seeds occurring singly. Seeds tiny, anatropous, bitegmic and exotestal. Seeds bilaterally symmetrical with dorsiventral plane of symmetry. Seed surface smooth without longitudinal ridges. Raphal region distinct, seen externally as a slightly raised rounded ridge that extends from the hilum to the chalazal end opposite the micropyle. Hilum and micropyle separated by a moderate zone of testal sclerenchyma. Hilar scar small, circular without a rim. Micropyle formed by the inner integument (tegmen) and marked on the seed surface by a transverse slit through the outer integument (testa) adjacent to hilar scar. Testa formed from an outer layer (exotesta) of palisade-shaped sclerenchyma cells and an inner thin layer of thin-walled parenchyma cells (mesotesta/endotesta). Testa bulging below hilum. Palisade-shaped cells of exotesta with evenly thickened anticlinal walls and a straight lumen. Anticlinal walls of exotestal cells strongly undulate toward the inside and toward the outside, resulting in stellate-undulate facets and a jigsaw puzzle-like pattern on the seed surface except in the micropylar region where the anticlinal walls are straight and the outer facets polygonal. Tegmen thin.

Etymology

In recognition of Jacques Rey (*1940, †2018) for his important contributions to understanding the Cretaceous geology of Portugal.