Virginianthus E.M.Friis, H.Eklund, K.R.Pedersen et P.R.Crane

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN002039

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:2039

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

Rank: genus

Reference: Friis, E. M., Eklund, H., Pedersen, K. R. & Crane, P. R. (1994): Virginianthus calycanthoides gen. et sp. nov. – A calycanthaceous flower from the Potomac Group (Early Cretaceous) of eastern North America. – International Journal of Plant Sciences 155(6): 772–785., link

Page of description: 773

Type

Original diagnosis/description

Flower small, bisexual, actinomorphic, and multipartite. Hypanthium cup-shaped. Perianth and androecium composed of numerous parts arranged in densely crowded series on the rim of the floral cup. Stamens not clearly differentiated into anther and filament. Anthers dithecate and tetrasporangiate, extrorse, dehiscing by four laterally hinged valves; pollen sacs linear and parallel; sterile tissue abundant, surrounding the sporangia apically, laterally, basally, and adaxially; inner series of androecium staminodial. Pollen monocolpate. Gynoecium composed of numerous free carpels borne on the inner surface of the hypanthium.

Etymology

From the state of Virginia, where the fossil was found.