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

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN000657

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:657

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

Rank: species

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

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

Illustrations or figures: figs 1–4

Name is type for

Types

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

From the state of Virginia, where the fossil was recovered.

Stratigraphy

Cretaceous, Lower Cretaceous, Albian
Basal part of subzone IIB, Potomac Group (early-middle Albian)

Locality

United States
Puddledock locality, former Tarmac Lone Star Industries (Vulcan Materials) sand and gravel pit, located south of Richmond and east of the Appomattox River in Prince George County, Virginia (lat. 37°15′52″N, long. 77°22′10″W).