Lusistemon K.R.Pedersen, Balthazar, P.R.Crane et E.M.Friis

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN002029

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:2029

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

Rank: genus

Reference: Pedersen, K. R., von Balthazar, M., Crane, P. R. & Friis, E. M. (2007): Early Cretaceous floral structures and in situ tricolpate-striate pollen: New early eudicots from Portugal. – Grana 46(3): 176–196.

Page of description: 178

Type

Original diagnosis/description

Staminate flower with six small tepals and six stamens of different sizes and apparently placed opposite the tepals. Anthers basifixed, attached to filament without distinct joint; filaments free from each other. Anthers dithecal and tetrasporangiate; thecae placed laterally; anther dehiscence by longitudinal slits. Connective poorly developed between thecae, but extended apically into a short protrusion. Pollen tricolpate, tectate and striate with dichotomising and sometimes anastomosing muri that are ornamented with minute, transversely oriented ridges. Infratectal layer thin, granular and forming a fine internal reticulum; foot layer thin.

Etymology

Composed of Lusitania (old Roman name for Portugal) and stemon (gr. thread) referring to the staminate nature of these Portuguese fossil flowers.