J Syst Evol ›› 1992, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (5): 423-426.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Two Angiosperm Reproductive Organs from the Early Cretaceous of China

Tao Jun-Rong, Zhang Chuan-Bo   

  • Published:1992-09-10

Abstract: Two fossil reproductive organs of early angiosperms were collected from the Yanji Basin, Jilin Province of China. The assemblage of fossil plants consist mainly of pteridophytes, gymnosperms and a few angiospoermms. The present paper only reports the two reproductive organs of angiosperms. They are Archimagnolia rostrato-stylosa gen.et sp. nov., Eucommioites orientalis sp.nov. The first is a slightly elongated floral axis(receptacle), with about 20 carpels helically arranged. The carpels are free from each other and attenuated into a beak-like structure at the apex, with the base inserted into the receptacle. A comparison with living plants indicated its close relationship with some members of the Magnoliaceae. The second is a samara, similar to a fruit of the genus Eucommia, narrow-oblong, 2-lobed at the apex with the lobes stigmatic on theinner side. The seed is situated at the middle of fruit, oblong in shape.

Key words: Reproductive organs, Angiosperm, Early Cretaceous