Platanocarpus brookensis P.R.Crane, K.R.Pedersen, E.M.Friis et Drinnan

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN002837

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:2837

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

Rank: species

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

Reference: Crane, P. R., Pedersen, K. R., Friis, E. M. & Drinnan, A. N. (1993): Early Cretaceous (Early to Middle Albian) Platanoid Inflorescences Associated with Sapindopsis Leaves from the Potomac Group of Eastern North America. – Systematic Botany 18(2): 328–344., link

Page of description: 329

Illustrations or figures: figs 1–5, 7–23, 46

Types

Original diagnosis/description

Pistillate inflorescences (and infructescences) sessile on long axes. Inflorescences typically composed of numerous (>50) closely spaced flowers. Each flower consists of five carpels surrounded by several layers of spatulate membranous tepals. Inner tepals about as long as the carpels. Outer tepals typically at least half as long as the carpels. Carpels narrow obtriangular in outline, with a pyramidal swelling at the apex. Diameter of infructescence, 5–6 mm. Length of flower and carpel, 1.2–2.0 mm; breadth of flower, 0.7–1.0 mm.

Etymology

From the type locality, Brooke.

Stratigraphy

Cretaceous, Lower Cretaceous, Albian
Patapsco Formation, Potomac Group; lower palynological Subzone II-B, early to middle Albian

Locality

United States
"Bank near Brooke," (38°24′50″N, 77°21′43″W), northern Virginia