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

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN002665

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:2665

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

Rank: genus

Reference: Friis, E. M., Crane, P. R. & Pedersen, K. R. (2021): Early flowers of primuloid Ericales from the Late Cretaceous of Portugal and their ecological and phytogeographic implications. – Fossil Imprint 77(2): 214–230.

Page of description: 216

Type

Original diagnosis/description

Flowers pedicellate, structurally bisexual, actinomorphic, pentamerous and isomerous. No bracteoles present immediately under calyx. Sepals narrowly triangular, basally fused, persistent. Petals ovate, longer than sepals. Stamens opposite corolla lobes; staminodes alternating with the corolla lobes. Ovary semi-inferior, unilocular, of five carpels; single style long with a wide stylar canal that is five-angled in cross-section. Apical portion of ovary with a slightly raised nectariferous ring and stomata-like openings. Placentation free, central. Ovules numerous and densely spaced on the placenta, but not immersed. Ovules anatropous and bitegmic. Fruit a capsule. Seeds many, minute, angular, with reticulate surface.

Etymology

From the village of Mira close to where the fossils were collected.