Maiandrocarpus Leng, Schönenb. et E.M.Friis

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN002822

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:2822

Authors: Q. Leng, J. Schönenberger & E. M. Friis

Rank: genus

Reference: Leng, Q., Schönenberger, J. & Friis, E. M. (2005): Late Cretaceous follicular fruits from southern Sweden with systematic affinities to early diverging eudicots. – Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 148(4): 377–407.

Page of description: 379

Type

Original diagnosis/description

Infructescence consisting of a main axis bearing helically arranged lateral subunits. Subunits composed of a pair of follicles supported by a median bract. Paired follicles sharing a short common stalk. Individual follicles astipitate with rounded apex, tapering base and sinuous outline in lateral view. Ventral slit of follicles facing infructescence axis, extending for the entire length of follicle and over the topological apex to the abaxial side, where the stigma is located. Stigma indistinct, double-crested with smooth surface. Follicle surface smooth. Follicle wall served by one dorsal and two lateral bundles. Placentation marginal-linear on each side of the ventral slit with up to six ovules of which 2–3 developed into mature seeds. Ovules smooth, bitegmic and anatropous, with short flattened funicle and distinct raphe. Mature seeds with a thick and finely wrinkled outer cuticle. Testa forms mechanical layer of rigid sclerenchyma cells. Tegmen thin and membraneous.

Etymology

From Greek referring to the sinuous shape of the follicles.