Endressianthus miraensis E.M.Friis, K.R.Pedersen et Schönenb.

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN002777

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:2777

Authors: E. M. Friis, K. R. Pedersen & J. Schönenberger

Rank: species

Genus: Endressianthus E.M.Friis, K.R.Pedersen et Schönenb.

Reference: Friis, E. M., Pedersen, K. R. & Schönenberger, J. (2003): Endressianthus, a new Normapolles‐producing plant genus of Fagalean affinity from the Late Cretaceous of Portugal. – International Journal of Plant Sciences 164(5 suppl.): S201–S223., link

Page of description: S216

Illustrations or figures: figs 1–13

Name is type for

Types

Original diagnosis/description

Bracts and prophylls of inflorescence broadly triangular, tapering into an acuminated apex; epidermis cells with distinct undulate anticlinal walls. Pistillate inflorescence subunits with one or two flowers that develop mature fruits. Pistillate flowers borne on a short peduncle. Perianth consists of four to five small acicular perianth parts. Fruits obovoid to almost spherical. Four to five vascular bundles are present in the outer fruit wall marked by narrow ribs extending from the base of the fruit to the base of the perianth. Apical slit lined by densely spaced, simple trichomes. Fruits indehiscent and apparently dry. Staminate inflorescence subunit with four or five flowers. Typically, not all stamens in each flower develop fully. The surfaces of the inflorescence and floral organs, except for the anthers, bear long, unicellular trichomes with acute apices and simple, slightly swollen bases.

Etymology

The specific epithet refers to the town of Mira close to where the fossils were collected.

Stratigraphy

Cretaceous, Upper Cretaceous
“Argilas de Vargos”; Campanian-Maastrichtian

Locality

Portugal
Clay pit south of Mira