Lignieriopsis parva E.M.Friis, P.R.Crane et K.R.Pedersen

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN000210

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:210

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

Rank: species

Genus: Lignieriopsis E.M.Friis, P.R.Crane et K.R.Pedersen

Reference: Friis, E. M., Crane, P. R. & Pedersen, K. R. (2019): Chlamydospermous seeds document the diversity and abundance of extinct gnetalean relatives in Early Cretaceous vegetation. – International Journal of Plant Sciences 180(7): 643–666.

Page of description: 651

Illustrations or figures: fig. 4

Types

Original diagnosis/description

Seeds small and orthotropous. Integument free fromseed envelope for its full length except at the base, where it is broadly attached. Integument apically extended into a long micropylar tube. Micropylar tube formed by an inner and an outer epidermis. Micropylar canal open apically, closed farther down by the cells of the inner epidermis that are expanded radially toward the center of the canal. Seed envelope elongate ellipsoidal to ovate and obovate, four angled in transverse section. Surface of seed almost smooth. Inner surface of seed envelope in the micropylar region smooth, without papillae. Outer epidermis of seed envelope of polygonal, longitudinally aligned cells with a thick cuticle and scattered stomata. Sclerenchyma zone of seed envelope of short, radially extended cells separated from the outer epidermis by a zone of parenchyma. Sclerenchyma thickest in the micropylar region. Inner tissue of seed envelope of short, transversely elongated, thin-walled cells. Seed envelope ovate to obovate in outline with a pointed apical protrusion. Outer cuticle of seed envelope thin.

Etymology

From the small size of the seeds (Latin parvus [small]).

Stratigraphy

Cretaceous, Lower Cretaceous
Basal part of Subzone IIB, Potomac Group; Early Cretaceous (early to middle Albian).

Locality

United States
Puddledock locality, former Tarmac Lone Star Industries (Vulcan Materials) sand and gravel pit, located south of Richmond and east of the Appomattox River in Prince George County, Virginia (lat. 37°15′52″N, long. 77°22′10″W).