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

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN000656

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:656

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

Rank: genus

Reference: Friis, E. M., Crane, P. R. & Pedersen, K. R. (2020): Melloniflora, a new extinct multipared flower from the Early Cretaceous of Virginia, USA. – International Journal of Plant Sciences 181(9): 887–897.

Page of description: 889

Type

Original diagnosis/description

Flower structurally bisexual, with a multiparted androecium and gynoecium. Floral receptacle wide and flattened. Phyllotaxis of androecium and gynoecium spiral. Androecium of about 50 stamens in several series. Stamens undifferentiated, with short, broad bases. Anthers dithecate, tetrasporangiate, not differentiated, grading smoothly into a prominent apical connective extension and the stamen base below. Pollen sacs embedded in the adaxial tissue of the stamen; dehiscence introrse by longitudinal slits. Gynoecium superior, apocarpous, of 21 free carpels in several series. Carpels completely or partially plicate. Ovules several, in two rows along each margin of the ventral suture. Large secretory cells in all floral tissues.

Etymology

In honor of Paul Mellon (1907–1999) and Rachel Lambert Mellon (1910–2014) for their engagement with and strong support for plants and the environment in Virginia, where the fossil was collected.