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

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN002850

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:2850

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

Rank: genus

Reference: Friis, E. M., Pedersen, K. R. & Crane, P. R. (2009): Early Cretaceous mesofossils from Portugal and eastern North America related to the Bennettitales-Erdtmanithecales-Gnetales group. – American Journal of Botany 96(1): 252–283.

Page of description: 258

Type

Original diagnosis/description

Seeds small, radially symmetrical, ellipsoidal, micropylar region pointed; four-lobed in cross section. Integument thin, micropylar tube long, narrow. Integument enclosed by a seed envelope, except for the micropylar opening, and attached to the envelope only at the base. Micropyle open at the apex. Below, it is closed by a distinct, multicellular closure that fi lls the lower half of the micropyle. Micropylar closure formed mainly from a layer of larger cells that are expanded radially toward the center of the micropylar tube. Seed lobes separated by deep grooves; each with a narrow longitudinal median ridge. Inner surface of seed envelope smooth, nonpapillate; outer surface smooth or rugulate. Seed envelope with an inner and outer sclerenchyma layer. Cells of inner sclerenchyma layer long, fi brous arching upwards in a chevron pattern. Arches formed by the fi bers are high and broad. Cells of outer sclerenchyma layer narrow, longitudinally aligned. Inner and outer sclerenchyma layers clearly delimited.

Etymology

From the four-lobed shaped of the seeds.