Canrightia E.M.Friis et K.R.Pedersen

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN002786

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:2786

Authors: E. M. Friis & K. R. Pedersen

Rank: genus

Reference: Friis, E. M. & Pedersen, K. R. (2011): Canrightia resinifera gen. et sp. nov., a new extinct angiosperm with Retimonocolpites-type pollen from the Early Cretaceous of Portugal: missing link in the eumagnoliid tree? – Grana 50: 3–29.

Page of description: 5

Type

Original diagnosis/description

Flower bisexual, borne in a small cup-shaped bract. Perianth parts in one whorl, fused to form a hypanthium that extends for about one third the length of the gynoecium. Stamens borne on the rim of the perianth cup. Stamen with short, broad base; anthers dithecate and tetrasporangiate; extensive connective between the theca and extended apex. Pollen, adhering to the surface of fruit and in situ in stamen, of Retimonocolpites-type with long, extended aperture; pollen wall semi-tectate, reticulate-columellate; reticulum homobrochate; muri smooth and high with sharp triangular profile; columellae long, scattered. Gynoecium formed from one to five fused carpels. Stigmatic area sessile, indistinct. Ovary semi-inferior and unilocular apparently with one ovule per carpel. Ovules pendant, orthotropous to semi-orthotropous, bitegmic, endotestal-endotegmic; testa comprising two cell layers; exotesta thin; endotesta with cubic to palisade-shaped crystal cells and fibrous infillings; tegmen three cell layer thick; exotegmen of elongated fibrous cells, mesotegmen with cubic thin-walled cells and endotegmen with large, palisade-shaped cells that form an endothelium; endotegmen cells with infilling of tannin. Fruit sessile berry with one to five seeds. Fruit wall often with densely packed resin bodies or cavities from presumed oil cells.

Etymology

In honour of James Canright for his contribution to the understanding of floral structures in extant magnoliids.