Momordiocarpon cardiospermum (R.K.Jain) Manchester, Kapgate et S.Y.Sm. in Smith, Kapgate, Robinson, Srivastava, Benedict & Manchester

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN001604

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:1604

Authors: S. R. Manchester, D. K. Kapgate & S. Y. Smith

Rank: species

Basionym: Musa cardiosperma R.K.Jain

Genus: Momordiocarpon R.N.Deshmukh et Kokate

Reference: Smith, S. Y., Kapgate, D. K., Robinson, S., Srivastava, R., Benedict, J. C. & Manchester, S. R. (2021): Fossil fruits and seeds of Zingiberales from the Late Cretaceous–early Cenozoic Deccan Intertrappean beds of central India. – International Journal of Plant Sciences 182(2): 91–108.

Page of description: 93

Types

Original diagnosis/description

Fruits about 10–12 cm. long, 1.2–9.5 cm. in diameter, roughly trigonous with rounded angles or more or less circular in cross section; apex ending abruptly into a short narrow acumen, measuring about 0.5-0.7 cm. in height; base gradually tapering into a short stalk, measuring about 1–1.5 cm. in Iength, curved at the extreme base. No remains of perianth either at the base or at the apex. Pericarp about 1–1.5 mm. in thickness, thicker in the stalk region; epicarp smooth. Seeds arranged somewhat spirally in three vertical rows, one row in each locule, about 12–15 per locule. Each seed shaped more or less like a fist appearing heart-shaped in longitudinal section; (5.5)–6.5–(8) mrn. in height (4)–5.5–(7) mm. in width at the widest part and (3)–4.2–(5) mm. in diameter at the waist; general surface minutely striated; abaxial surface more or less convex, rectangular and provided with a shallow transverse groove dividing it externally into 1/3 basal and 2/3 apical part; base more or less semi-circular with prominent hilum and a micropyle situated in a shallow depression in the centre; depression slanting on the adaxial side; adaxial side more or less conical, steeply slanting towards the apex; apical portion more or less flattened with a narrow edge; seed coat highly thickened round the ‘collar’. Embryo large, more or less flask-shaped, circular in cross section with its basal part hanging into the albuminous seed cavity, the latter usually empty.

IPFN note: In the first sentence, there is written "1.2–9.5 cm. in diameter" but the value "9.5" is apparently lapsus calami. Later (p. 46), in part describing external morphology, the correct value is give: "The complete fruit measures about 10–12 cm. in length and about 1.2–1.5 cm. in diameter."

Stratigraphy

Paleogene, Eocene
Deccan Intertrappean Series

Locality

India
Mohgaon Kalan (22° 1′ N; 79° 11′ E), district Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh