Paleoflora of the Messel Formation

{{Short description|None}}

{{Further|Paleofauna of the Messel Formation}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}

This is an overview of the {{Linktext|paleoflora}} of the Eocene Messel Formation as explored by the Messel Pit excavations in Germany. A former quarry and now UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Messel Formation preserves what lived in and around a meromictic lake surrounded by a paratropical rainforest during the latest early to earliest middle Eocene, approximately 47 Ma.{{cite journal |last1=Mertz |first1=D. |last2=Renne |first2=P. |year=2005 |title=A numerical age for the Messel fossil deposit (UNESCO World Heritage Site) derived from 40Ar/39Ar dating on a basaltic rock fragment |journal=Courier Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg |volume=255 |pages=7–75}} A complete list of plant taxa was published in 2024.{{cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=Krister T. |last2=Collinson |first2=Margaret |last3=Folie |first3=Annelise |last4=Haberesetzer |first4=Jörg |last5=Hennicke |first5=Florian |last6=Kothe |first6=Erika |last7=Lehmann |first7=Thomas |last8=Lenz |first8=Olaf K. |last9=Mayr |first9=Gerald |last10=Micklich |first10=Norbert |last11=Rabenstein |first11=Renate |last12=Racicot |first12=Rachel |last13=Schaal |first13=Stephan F. K. |last14=Smith |first14=Thierry |last15=Tosal |first15=Aixa |last16=Uhl |first16=Dieter |last17=Wappler |first17=Torsten |last18=Wedmann |first18=Sonja |last19=Wuttke |first19=Michael |title=The biodiversity of the Eocene Messel Pit |journal=Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments |date=2024 |volume=104 |doi=10.1007/s12549-024-00633-2 |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12549-024-00633-2|doi-access=free }}

Several major monographs on the paleoflora have been published since the early 1900s, with {{ill|Hermann Engelhardt|de|Hermann Engelhardt (Paläontologe)}} producing the first leaf monograph in 1922, followed by Heidemarie Thiele-Pfeiffer in 1988 who provided the first in-depth palynological revision and expansion. Margaret Collinson, Steven Manchester, and Volker Wilde collaborated to study and redescribe the flowers, fruits, seeds, and other reproductive organs of the formation, with the monograph being published in 2011. Most recently, Johannes Bouchal, Christian Geier, Friđgeir Grímsson and colleagues have completed monographic studies of the palynomorphs, combining traditional light microscopy with scanning electron microscopy to achieve greater phylogenetic precision.{{cite journal |last1=Bouchal |first1=Johannes M. |last2=Geier |first2=Christian |last3=Ulrich |first3=Silvia |last4=Wilde |first4=Volker |last5=Lenz |first5=Olaf K. |last6=Zetter |first6=Richard |last7=Grímsson |first7=Friđgeir |title=Qualitative LM and SEM study of the Messel palynoflora: part I. Algae to Vitales |journal=Grana |date=2024 |volume=63 |issue=3 |pages=193-246 |doi=10.1080/00173134.2024.2375209 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00173134.2024.2375209|doi-access=free }}

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Dinoflagellates

Only a single dinoflagellate taxon has been described formally from the Messel formation. Based on the predominance in layers where heavy nearshore runoff or slippage is present, its suggested Messelodinium thielepfeifferae was likely an inhabitant of warm nearshore waters in the adult stage or wind and wave action resulted in large accumulation of the cysts. M. thielepfeifferae populations are most prevalent in the older layers of the lake, when it was suggested to be holomictic and become absent in the youngest layers when green algae become dominant with the lake shifting to meromictic conditions and the water chemistry changed.{{cite journal |last1=Lenz . |first1=O. |last2=Wilde |first2=V. |last3=Riegel |first3=W. |last4=Heinrichs |first4=T. |title=Distribution and paleoecologic significance of the freshwater dinoflagellate cyst Messelodinium thielepfeifferae gen. et sp. nov from the Middle Eocene of Lake Messel, Germany |journal=Palynology |date=2007 |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=119–134 |doi=10.2113/gspalynol.31.1.119}}

class="wikitable" align="center" width="70%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Peridiniaceae

|

Messelodinium

|

Messelodinium thielepfeifferae

|

Lenz et al., 2007

|

A peridinialean dinoflagellate.

|

Charophyta

Olaf Lenz et al (2011) briefly noted the presence of the Zygnemataceae fossil genus Ovoidites, but only gave general population densities with no enumeration on species information.

class="wikitable" align="center" width="70%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Zygnemataceae

|

Ovoidites

|

Undescribed{{cite journal |last1=Lenz |first1=O. |last2=Wilde |first2=V. |last3=Riegel |first3=W. |year=2011 |title=Short-term fluctuations in vegetation and phytoplankton during the Middle Eocene greenhouse climate: a 640-kyr record from the Messel oil shale (Germany) |journal=International Journal of Earth Sciences |volume=100 |issue=8 |pages=1851–1874|doi=10.1007/s00531-010-0609-z |bibcode=2011IJEaS.100.1851L |s2cid=52968593 |doi-access=free |url=https://e-docs.geo-leo.de/bitstream/11858/6785/2/531_2010_Article_609.pdf }}

|

|

A minor Charophyte green algae component of the Messel Formation.

|

Chlorophyta

Several chlorophyte green algae are identified from the Messel Formation, with the greatest concentrations being found in the youngest layers. In the older layers Tetraedron minimum is a distinct component of the yearly varves in the lake, with large blooms occurring to form the lighter summer portions of the varve couplets. In the younger layers, Botryococcus species become the most prolific, having taken over as a major phytoplankton taxon from T. minimum and the dinoflagellate Messelodinium thielepfeifferae.

class="wikitable" align="center" width="70%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Botryococcaceae

|

Botryococcus

|

Botryococcus braunii{{cite journal |last1=Adam |first1=P. |last2=Schaeffer |first2=P. |last3=Albrecht |first3=P. |year=2006 |title=C40 monoaromatic lycopane derivatives as indicators of the contribution of the alga Botryococcus braunii race L to the organic matter of Messel oil shale (Eocene, Germany) |journal=Organic Geochemistry |volume=37 |issue=5 |pages=584–596|doi=10.1016/j.orggeochem.2006.01.001 }}

|

Kützing

|

A chlorophyte green algae.

|

Peridiniaceae

|

Tetraedron

|

Tetraedron minimum

|

(A. Braun) Hansgirg

|

A chlorophyte green algae
The main component in the spring/summer layers of the Messel varves.

|

Pteridophytes

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Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Aspleniaceae

|

Asplenium

|

Asplenium sp.{{cite journal |last1=Engelhardt |first1=H. |year=1922 |title=Die alttertiäre Flora von Messel bei Darmstadt |journal=Abhandlungen der Hessischen Geologischen Landesanstalt zu Darmstadt |volume=7 |issue=4 |pages=20–128 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/7648}}

|

|

Fern pinnuels attributed to Asplenium
Not identified to species

|

Conifers

class="wikitable" align="center" width="80%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Doliostrobaceae

|

Doliostrobus

|

Doliostrobus taxiformis{{cite journal |last1=Collinson |first1=M. |last2=Manchester |first2=S. |last3=Wilde |first3=V. |year=2012 |title=Fossil fruits and seeds of the Middle Eocene Messel biota, Germany. |journal=Abhandlungen der Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung |volume=570 |pages=1–249 |isbn=978-3-510-61400-4 |url=}}

|

(Sternberg) Z. Kvaček emend. Kunzmann

|

A conifer of possible cupressaceous affinities

|

Podocarpaceae

|

Podozamites

|

Podozamites eocaenica

|

Engelhardt

|

Possible podocarpaceous foliage
First suggested as a cyacad species

|

Taxaceae

|

Cephalotaxus

|

Cephalotaxus messelensis{{cite book |title=Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. |chapter=Pars 105. Gymnospermae (6) Ginkgophyta et Coniferae.|last1=Dijkstra |first1=S. |last2=van Amerom |first2=H. |last3=Schultze-Motel |first3=J. |editor-last1=van Amerom |editor-first1=H. |publisher=Backhuys Publishers |location=Leiden, Netherlands |date=2002}}

|

Wilde

|

A plum yew species

|

Basal angiosperms

=Nymphaeales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="80%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Nymphaeaceae

|

Nuphaea

|

Nuphaea engelhardtii{{cite journal |last1=Gee |first1=C. |last2=Taylor |first2=D. |year=2019 |title=An Extinct Transitional Leaf Genus of Nymphaeaceae from the Eocene Lake at Messel, Germany: Nuphaea engelhardtii Gee et David W. Taylor gen. et sp. nov. |journal=International Journal of Plant Sciences |volume=180 |issue=7 |pages=724–736 |doi=10.1086/704376|s2cid=201211546 }}

|

Gee & Taylor, 2018

|

A transitional nymphaealean water lily genus

|

Incertae sedis

|

Incertae sedis

|

Incertae sedis

|

|

Seeds of possible nymphaealean affinity
Not identified to species

Magnoliids

=Laurales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=3 | Lauraceae

|

Laurocarpum

|

Laurocarpum sp.

|

|

Seeds of lauraceous affinity
3 unnamed morphospecies

|

Laurophyllum

|

Laurophyllum lanigeroides{{cite journal |last1=Wappler |first1=T. |last2=Tokuda |first2=M. |last3=Yukawa |first3=J. |last4=Wilde |first4=V. |year=2010 |title=Insect herbivores on Laurophyllum lanigeroides (Engelhardt 1922) Wilde: the role of a distinct plant-insect associational suite in host taxonomic assignment |journal=Palaeontographica, Palaeontographica, Abt.B: Palaeobotany–Palaeophytology |volume=283 |issue=4–6 |pages=137–155}}

|

(Engelhardt) Wilde

|

A lauraceous leaf morphotaxon
host to two forms of asphondyliine tribe midge galls

|

incertae sedis

|

incertae sedis

|

|

Seeds of lauraceous affinity
not identified to genus/species

|

=Magnoliales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=2| Magnoliaceae

| rowspan=2| Magnolia

|

Magnolia sp.

|

|

A Magnolia species fruit
Not identified to species

|

Magnolia sp.

|

|

Magnolia species seeds
not identified to species

|

Myristicaceae

|

Myristicacarpum

|

Myristicacarpum sp.

|

|

A Myristicacarpum species seed
Not identified to species

|

Monocots

=Alismatales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=3 | Araceae

| rowspan=2 | †Araciphyllites

|

Araciphyllites tertiarius{{cite journal |last1=Wilde |first1=V. |last2=Kvaček |first2=Z. |last3=Bogner |first3=J. |title=Fossil leaves of the Araceae from the European Eocene and notes on other aroid fossils |journal=International Journal of Plant Sciences |date=2005 |volume=166 |issue=1 |pages=157–183 |doi=10.1086/425673|s2cid=85215526 }}

|

(Engelhardt) Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005

|

An araceous leaf

|

Araciphyllites schaarschmidtii

|

Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005

|

An araceous leaf

|

Caladiosoma

|

Caladiosoma messelense

|

Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005

|

An araceous leaf

|

=Arecales=

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Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=4 | Arecaceae

|

Arecocaryon

|

Arecocaryon messelensis{{Cite journal|last=Doweld |first=A. B. |year=2021 |title=Fossil Alloceltidoxylon, Allonymphaea, Arecocaryon, Paralnoxylon and Paranyssa and extant Komaroviopsis, Marcanodendron, and Papyrocactus (Magnoliophyta), new replacement generic names |journal=Phytotaxa |volume=524 |issue=2 |pages=92–98 |doi=10.11646/phytotaxa.524.2.3 |s2cid=243482734 }}

|

(Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde) Doweld

|

Palm species fruits
First described as Friedemannia messelensis, a genus jr homonym
Moved to Arecocaryon messelensis in 2021
The most abundant fruit at Messel
known from a full flower to mature fruit ontogenetic series

|

Calamopsis

|

Cf.Calamopsis bredana

|

|

A Palm leaf
Possibly affiliated with C. bredana

|

rowspan=2| Incertae sedis

|

incertae sedis

|

|

Pinnate palm leaves of possible lepidocaryoid tribal affinity.
Not identified to species

|

incertae sedis

|

|

Palmate palm leaves of uncertain tribal affinity.
Not identified to species

|

=Liliales=

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Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=4 | Smilacaceae

| rowspan=4 | Smilax

|

Smilax grandifolia

|

Unger

|

A greenbrier

|

Smilax lingulata

|

Heer

|

A greenbrier

|

Smilax ovata

|

Wess.

|

A greenbrier

|

Smilax reticulata

|

Heer

|

A greenbrier

|

=Pandanales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Cyclanthaceae

|

Cyclanthus

|

Cyclanthus messelensis{{cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=S. |last2=Collinson |first2=M. |last3=Rudall |first3=P. |title=Fossil Cyclanthus (Cyclanthaceae, Pandanales) from the Eocene of Germany and England |journal=American Journal of Botany |date=2008 |volume=95 |issue=6 |pages=688–699 |doi=10.3732/ajb.2007390 |pmid=21632394}}

|

S. Y. Smith, Collinson & Rudall, 2008

|

A Cyclanthus species
Described from fruits and seeds

|

=Poales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Cyperaceae

|

Volkeria

|

Volkeria messelensis{{cite journal |last1=Smith |first1=S. |last2=Collinson |first2=M. |last3=Simpson |first3=D. |last4=Rudall |first4=P. |last5=Marone |first5=F. |last6=Stampanoni |first6=M. |year=2009 |title=Elucidating the affinities and habitat of ancient, widespread Cyperaceae: Volkeria messelensis gen. et sp. nov., a fossil mapanioid sedge from the Eocene of Europe |journal=American Journal of Botany |volume=96 |issue=8 |pages=1506–1518 |doi=10.3732/ajb.0800427|pmid=21628296 |url=https://www.zora.uzh.ch/id/eprint/27030/11/Collinson.pdf }}

|

Smith et al., 2009

|

A mapanioid sedge

|

Poaceae

|

Phragmites

|

Phragmites oeningensis

|

A.Braun ex Heer

|

A grass foliage

|

Basal eudicots

=Proteales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Sabiaceae

|

Meliosma

|

Meliosma sp.

|

|

A Meliosma species seed
Not identified to species

|

=Ranunculales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=13 | Menispermaceae

|

Cocculus

|

Cocculus lottii

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

|

A Cocculus species endocarp

|

Diploclisia

|

Diploclisia rugulosa

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

|

A Diploclisia species seed

|

Karinschmidtia

|

Karinschmidtia rotulae

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

|

A menispermaceous endocarp

|

Martinmuellera

|

Martinmuellera tuberculata

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

|

A menispermaceous genus seed

|

rowspan=3 | †Palaeosinomenium

|

Palaeosinomenium ornamentum

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

|

A menispermaceous endocarp

|

Palaeosinomenium venablesii

|

Chandler, 1961

|

A menispermaceous endocarp
First described from the English Eocene (1961)

|

Palaeosinomenium sp.

|

|

A menispermaceous endocarp
Not identified to species

|

Parabaena

|

Cf. Parabaena europaea

|

|

A menispermaceous endocarp
Fossil similar to P. europaea
Not identified to species

|

?Pericampylus

|

?Pericampylus sp.

|

|

A tentative Pericampylus species endocarp.
not described to species

|

Stephania

|

Stephania hootae

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

|

A Stephania species seed

|

Tinomiscoidea

|

Tinomiscoidea jacquesii

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

|

A menispermaceous endocarp

|

Wardensheppeya

|

Wardensheppeya sp.

|

|

A menispermaceous endocarp
Not identified to species

|

incertae sedis

|

incertae sedis

|

|

menispermaceous endocarp of Tinosporeae subfamily affinity
3 morphotypes not identified to genus/species

|

Superasterids

=Campanulids=

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Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Torricelliaceae

|

Toricellia

|

Toricellia bonesii

|

(Manchester) Manchester

|

A Toricellia species.
Endocarp with germination valve

|

=Cornales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Alangiaceae

|

Alangium

|

Alangium sp.

|

|

An Alangium species likely belonging to Alangium sect. Marlea.
Not identified to species
Identified from single endocarp, others likely in Messel collections

|

Cornaceae

|

Cornus

|

Cornus orbifera{{cite book |title=Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. |chapter=Pars 23. Umbellifloraea: Cornaceae|author=Kirchheimer F. |editor=Jongmans, W. |publisher=Verlag Gustav Feller |location=Neubrandenburg |date=2 July 1938}}

|

Heer

|

A dogwood species

|

rowspan=7 | Nyssaceae

|

Cf.Beckettia

|

incertae sedis

|

|

A germination valve similar to Beckettia
Not identified to species

|

Eomastixia

|

Cf. Eomastixia rugosa

|

|

An endocarp similar to Eomastixia rugosa
Not identified to species

|

?Mastixia

|

incertae sedis

|

|

A possible Mastixia endocarp and mesocarp
Possibly included in a coprolite
Not identified to species

|

Mastixiopsis

|

Mastixiopsis nyssoides

|

Kirchheimer

|

A nyssaceous endocarp

|

rowspan=3 | Nyssa

|

Nyssa disseminata

|

(R. Ludw.) Kirchheimer

|

A nyssaceous endocarp with germination valve

|

Nyssa europaea

|

Unger

|

A nyssaceous species

|

Nyssa ornithobroma

|

Unger

|

A nyssaceous species

|

=Ericales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Pentaphylacaceae

|

Cleyera

|

incertae sedis

|

|

A Cleyera species.
Not identified to species

|

Symplocaceae

|

Symplocos

|

Symplocos minutula{{cite book |title=Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. |chapter=Pars 26. Symplocaceae.|author=Kirchheimer F.|editor=Jongmans, W. |publisher=Verlag Gustav Feller |date=14 Jul 1950}}

|

(Sternberg) Kirchheimer

|

A Symplocos species fruit.

|

Theaceae

|

Camelliacarpoidea

|

Camelliacarpoidea messelensis

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

A theaceous species.
A dry fruit with persistent calyx

|

=Lamiids=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Apocynaceae

|

Cypselites

|

incertae sedis

|

|

A Cypselites species
Elongated seed with wind dispersal hairs.
Not identified to species, 11 specimens known

|

Bignoniaceae

|

Darmstadtia

|

Darmstadtia biseriata

|

|

A catalpa species.
Pods with dry seeds lacking wind dispersal wings
Described from2 specimens

|

rowspan=12| Icacinaceae

| rowspan=2| †Palaeohosiea

|

Palaeohosiea bilinica

|

(Ettingshausen) Kvaček & Bůžek

|

A phytocrenaceous species.
known from endocarps

|

incertae sedis

|

|

A Palaeohosiea endocarp.
Not identified to species

|

Cleyera

|

incertae sedis

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

A Cleyera species.
Not identified to species

|

rowspan=3| †Icacinicarya

|

Icacinicarya densipunctata

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

An icacinaceous species.

|

Icacinicarya tiffneyi

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

An icacinaceous species.
endocarp with a preserved layer of soft tissue

|

incertae sedis

|

|

An Icacinicarya endocarp.
Not identified to species

|

Cf. Natsiatum

|

incertae sedis

|

|

An endocarp similar to Natsiatum.
Not identified to species

|

Palaeophytocrene

|

incertae sedis

|

|

A Palaeophytocrene endocarp.
Not identified to species

|

Phytocrene

|

Phytocrene punctilinearis

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

A Phytocrene species.

|

rowspan=2| Pyrenacantha

|

"Species 1"

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

An unnamed Pyrenacantha species.
endocarp with a preserved layer of soft tissue

|

"Species 2"

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

An unnamed Pyrenacantha species.
endocarp without a preserved layer of soft tissue

|

Cf. Pyrenacantha

|

incertae sedis

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

An endocarp similar to Pyrenacantha.
not identified to species

|

Superrosids

=Fabids=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Cannabaceae

|

Aphananthe

|

Cf.Aphananthe tenuicostata

|

|

A hemp relative fruit.
Similar to Aphananthe tenuicostata

|

rowspan=8| Celastraceae

| rowspan=4| Celastrus

|

Celastrus elaenus{{cite book |title=Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. |chapter=Pars 29. Celastraceae.|last1=Wonnacott |first1=F. |editor-last1=Jongmans |editor-first1=W. |publisher=Uitgeverij Dr. W. Junk |location='s-Gravenhague |date=28 September 1955}}

|

Unger

|

A Celastrus species.

|

Celastrus friedrichi

|

Wonnacott

|

A Celastrus species.

|

Celastrus illicinoides

|

Engelhardt

|

A Celastrus species.

|

Celastrus oxyphyllus

|

Unger

|

A Celastrus species.

|

rowspan=3| Elaeodendron

|

Elaeodendron degener

|

(Unger) Ettingshausen

|

An Elaeodendron species.

|

Elaeodendron dryadum

|

Ettingshausen

|

An Elaeodendron species.
Similar to the living E. orientale

|

Elaeodendron obovatifolium

|

Engelhardt

|

An Elaeodendron species.

|

Euonymus

|

Euonymus heerii

|

Ettingshausen

|

A Euonymus species.

|

Elaeocarpaceae

|

Sloanea

|

Sloanea messelensis

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

A Sloanea species fruit.

|

Euphorbiaceae

|

Euphorbiotheca

|

Euphorbiotheca gothii

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

Trilocular euphorb fruits.

|

rowspan=3| Fabaceae

|

Mimosites

|

Mimosites spiegeli

|

Engelhardt

|

A caesalpinioid legume species pod.

|

rowspan=2| †Leguminocarpon

|

Leguminocarpon herendeenii

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

A legume species pod.

|

Leguminocarpon sp.

|

|

Legume species pods.
2 mophotypes noted
not identified to species

|

rowspan=3| Juglandaceae

|

Cruciptera

|

Cruciptera schaarschmidtii

|

Manchester, Collinson, & Goth

|

A juglandaceous winged fruit.

|

Hooleya

|

Hooleya sp.

|

|

A juglandaceous fruiting raceme.
Not identified to species.

|

Palaeocarya

|

Palaeocarya sp.

|

|

A juglandaceous fruit.
Not identified to species.

|

Rhamnaceae

|

Berchemia

|

Berchemia mellerae

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

A Berchemia buckthorn species fruit.

|

Rosaceae

|

Prunus

|

Prunus pereger{{cite book |title=Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. |chapter=Pars 25. Rosaceae.|last1=Kirchheimer |first1=F. |editor-last1=Jongmans |editor-first1=W. |publisher=Verlag Gustav Feller |date=14 Jul 1942}}

|

Unger

|

A cherry relative

|

Ulmaceae

|

Cedrelospermum

|

Cedrelospermum leptospermum

|

(Ettingshausen) Manchester emend. Wilde & Manchester

|

An ulmaceous elm relative fruit.

|

=Malvids=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=9| Anacardiaceae

|

Anacardium

|

Anacardium germanicum

|

Manchester, Wilde & Collinson

|

A cashew species.
The first European record of the genus
Known from at least 16 fruits and hypocarps

|

Lannea

|

Lannea hessenensis

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

A Lannea species.
Fruits are unilocular, separating them from Lannea europaea
23 specimens in the type series

|

Mangifera

|

Mangifera tertiaria{{cite book |title=Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. |chapter=Pars 20. Anacardiaceae.|last1=Edwards |first1= W. |last2=Wonnacott |first2=F. |editor-last1=Jongmans |editor-first1=W. |publisher=W. Junk |location='s-Gravenhague |date=28 August 1935}}

|

Ettingshausen

|

A mango relative.

|

Pentoperculum

|

Pentoperculum minimus

|

(Reid & Chandler) Manchester

|

A spondiadeous cashew relative.
Rounded-pentangular fruits in transverse cross-section
Identified from 7 fossils

|

Pleiogynium

|

Pleiogynium mitchellii

|

(Reid & Chandler) Manchester

|

A Pleiogynium species.
A larger spondiadeous fruit with 10 germination valves
Described from the holotype only

|

rowspan=3| Rhus

|

Rhus meriani

|

Heer

|

A sumac relative.

|

Rhus saportana

|

Pilar

|

A sumac relative.

|

Rhus ternata

|

Engelhardt

|

A sumac relative.

|

Tapiscia

|

Tapiscia pusilla

|

(Reid & Chandler) Mai

|

A Tapiscia species fruit.
Some fruits possibly preserved in coprolites

|

rowspan=2| Burseraceae

|

Bursericarpum

|

Bursericarpum species

|

|

A Bursericarpum species endocarp.
Not identified to species

|

Canarium

|

Canarium sp.

|

|

A Canarium species endocarp.
Not identified to species

|

rowspan=3| Malvaceae

| rowspan=3| †Byttneriopsis

|

Byttneriopsis daphnogenes{{cite journal |last1=Kvacek |first1=Z. |last2=Wilde |first2=V. |year=2010 |title=Foliage and seeds of malvalean plants from the Eocene of Europe |journal=Bulletin of Geosciences |volume=85 |issue=1 |pages=163–182 |doi=10.3140/bull.geosci.1170|doi-access=free }}

|

(Ettingshausen) Kvaček & Wilde

|

A malvaceous leaf morphotaxon

|

Byttneriopsis spiegelii

|

(Ettingshausen) Kvaček & Wilde

|

A malvaceous leaf morphotaxon

|

Byttneriopsis steuerii

|

Kvaček & Wilde

|

A malvaceous leaf morphotaxon

|

rowspan=3| Rutaceae

|

Rutaspermum

|

Rutaspermum chandleri

|

Collinson & Gregor

|

A citrus family seed.

|

Toddalia

|

Toddalia ovata{{cite journal |last1=Winkler |first1=I. |last2=Labandeira |first2=C. |last3=Wappler |first3=T. |last4=Wilf |first4=P. |year=2010 |title=Distinguishing Agromyzidae (Diptera) leaf mines in the fossil record: new taxa from the Paleogene of North America and Germany and their evolutionary implications |journal=Journal of Paleontology |volume=84 |issue=5 |pages=935–954 |doi=10.1666/09-163.1|s2cid=56378236 }}

|

Wilde

|

A Toddalia leaf morphospecies
Host to Phytomyzites schaarschmidti trace fossils -
leaf mines attributed to agromyzid flies

|

Cf. Toddalia

|

incertae sedis

|

|

A Seed similar to Toddalia.
Not identified to genus/species

|

rowspan=6| Sapindaceae

|

Dodonaea

|

Dodonaea salicites{{cite book |title=Fossilium Catalogus. II. Plantae. |chapter=Pars 14. Sapindaceae.|last1=Edwards |first1=W. |last2=Wonnacott |first2=F. |editor-last1=Jongmans |editor-first1=W. |publisher=Verlag Gustav Feller |date=14 Jul 1950}}

|

Ettingshausen

|

A Dodonaea species

|

rowspan=4| Sapindus

|

Sapindus cupanioides

|

Ettingshausen

|

A Sapindus species

|

Sapindus dubius

|

Unger

|

A Sapindus species

|

Sapindus firmifolius

|

Engelhardt

|

A Sapindus species

|

Sapindus heliconius

|

Unger

|

A Sapindus species

|

Thouinia

|

Thouinia occidentalis

|

Engelhardt

|

A Thouinia species

|

Simaroubaceae

|

Ailanthus

|

Ailanthus confucii

|

Unger

|

An Ailanthus seed.

|

=Myrtales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Lythraceae

|

Cf. Decodon

|

Incertae sedis

|

|

Seeds of similar morphology to Decodon Not identified to species

|

=Saxifragales=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Altingiaceae

|

Steinhauera

|

Steinhauera subglobosa

|

Presl emend Mai, 1968

|

A sweet gum species.
Raceme with at least 7 infructecences

|

rowspan=3| Hamamelidaceae

|

Mytilaria

|

Mytilaria boglei

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

A Mytilaria species infructecence.

|

rowspan=2| Corylopsis

|

Corylopsis maii

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

|

A winter hazel species infructecence.

|

Corylopsis waltheri

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

|

Isolated winter hazel species seeds.

|

=Vitaceae=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=6| Vitaceae

|

Ampelopsis

|

Ampelopsis sp.

|

|

A peppervine species seed.
not identified to species

|

Cayratia

|

Cayratia jungii

|

(Gregor) Chen & Manchester

|

A Cayratia species seed.

|

Crassivitisemen

|

Crassivitisemen wildei

|

(Chen & Manchester) Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde

|

Vitaceous species fruits and seeds.
Fruits with soft tissue preservation

|

Palaeovitis

|

Palaeovitis sp.

|

|

A vitaceous species seed.
not identified to species

|

Parthenocissus

|

Parthenocissus britannica

|

(Heer) Chandler, 1957

|

Virginia creeper species fruits and seeds.

|

Vitis

|

Vitis messelensis

|

Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012

|

Grape species fruits and seeds.
Some specimens preserved in coprolites

|

''Incertae sedis''

Carpolitus is a plant morphogenus circumscribed for fossil fruits and seeds that are distinct but not identifiable to defined taxa. Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde (2012) described but did not name 63 distinct Carpolithus morphotypes from the Messel Formation.

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=7| †Carpolithus

|

Carpolithus anacardiaceus

|

Engelhardt

|

Doubtfully referred to Anacardiaceae per Edwards & Wonnacott (1935)

|

Carpolithus callosaeoides

|

(Engelhardt)

|

A Carpolithus species with thick woody tissues

|

Carpolithus drupaceus

|

Engelhardt

|

A fruit of possible rosaceous affinity

|

Carpolithus euphoriaeoides

|

Engelhardt

|

A Carpolithus species fruit
Suggested to be similar to Euphoria

|

Carpolithus sapindiformis

|

Engelhardt

|

A Carpolithus species fruit
Suggested to possibly be affiliated to Sapindus leaves

|

Carpolithus sapindoides

|

Engelhardt

|

A Carpolithus species fruit
Suggested to possibly be comparable to Sapindus fruits

|

Species 1–62

|

|

various distinct morphotypes

|

Lagokarpos

|

incertae sedis{{Cite journal|last1=Tang |first1=H. |last2=Liu |first2=J. |last3=Wu |first3=F.-X. |last4=Spicer |first4=T. |last5=Spicer |first5=R. |last6=Deng |first6=W.-Y.-D. |last7=Xu |first7=C.-L. |last8=Zhao |first8=F. |last9=Huang |first9=J. |last10=Li |first10=S.-F. |last11=Su |first11=T. |last12=Zhou |first12=Z.-K. |year=2019 |title=Extinct genus Lagokarpos reveals a biogeographic connection between Tibet and other regions in the Northern Hemisphere during the Paleogene |journal=Journal of Systematics and Evolution |volume=57 |issue=6 |pages=670–677 |doi=10.1111/jse.12505 |doi-access=free }}

|

|

A Lagokarpos species winged fruit
Not identified to species

|

Saportaspermum

|

Saportaspermum kovacsiae

|

|

A Saportaspermum species winged seed
Suggested to have malvaceous affinity

|

Spirellea

|

incertae sedis

|

|

A Spirellea species seed
Not identified to species

|

Pollen and spores

The first foray into Messel palynology was produced by H. D. Pflug (1952){{cite journal |last1=Pflug |first1=H.D. |year=1952 |title=Palynologie und Stratigraphie der eozänen Braunkohlen von Helmstedt (Palynology and stratigraphy of the Eocene Brown-Coal of Helmstedt) |journal=Paläontologische Zeitschrift |volume=26 |issue=(1/2) |pages=112–137 |doi=10.1007/BF03041729 |s2cid=140715968 |language=German}} with follow-up papers in 1957{{cite journal |last1=Pflug |first1=H.D. |year=1957 |title=Zur Altersfolge und Faziesgliederung mitteleuropäischer (insbesondere hessischer) Braunkohlen (On the age succession and facies correlation of Middle European, (in particular Hessen) Brown Coal.) |journal=Notizbl Hess Landesamt Bodenforsch Wiesbaden |volume=85 |pages=152–178 |language=German}} and coauthored with P. Thomas in 1953.{{cite journal |last1=Thomson |first1=P. |last2=Pflug |first2=H. |year=1953 |title=Pollen und Sporen des mitteleuropäischen Tertiärs (Pollen and spores of the Middle European Tertiary) |journal=Palaeontographica Abteilung B |volume=94 |pages=1–138 |language=German}} The pollen and spore record was revised and expanded by Heidemarie Thiele-Pfeiffer (1988){{cite web |last1=White |first1=J M |title=Thiele-Pfeiffer, H |url=https://paleobotany.ru/palynodata/publication/15550 |website=Palynodata |publisher=Palynodata Inc. |access-date=2 July 2022}} who provided the largest in depth palynological work focusing exclusively on the Messel Formation.

=Pteridophyte spores=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Osmundaceae

|

Baculatisporites

|

Baculatisporites primarius{{cite journal |last1=Thiele-Pfeiffer |first1=H. |year=1988 |title=The microflora from the Middle Eocene oil shale of Messel near Darmstadt West Germany |journal=Palaeontographica Abteilung B |volume=211 |pages=1–86}}

|

(Wolff) Thomson & Pflug

|

A royal fern palynospecies

|

rowspan=2| Polypodiaceae

| rowspan=2| †Polypodiaceoisporites

|

Polypodiaceoisporites gracillimus

|

Nagy

|

Fern spores polypodiaceous affinity

|

Polypodiaceoisporites lusaticus

|

Krutzsch

|

Fern spores polypodiaceous affinity

|

rowspan=3| Schizaeaceae

| rowspan=2| †Cicatricosisporites

|

Cicatricosisporites dorogensis

|

Potonié & Gelletich

|

A schizaeaceous fern palynospecies

|

Cicatricosisporites paradorogensis

|

Krutzsch

|

A schizaeaceous fern palynospecies

|

Microfoveolatosporis

|

Microfoveolatosporis granuloides

|

(Krutzsch) Krutzsch

|

A schizaeaceous fern palynospecies

|

?Schizaeaceae

|

Ischyosporites

|

Ischyosporites tertiarius

|

Krutzsch

|

A palynospecies of possible schizaeaceous fern affinity

|

rowspan=7| incertae sedis

| rowspan=2| †Laevigatosporites

|

Laevigatosporites discordatus

|

Pflug

|

A palynospecies of possible Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

|

Laevigatosporites haardtii

|

(Potonié & Venitz) Thomson & Pflug

|

A palynospecies of possible Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

|

rowspan=5| †Leiotriletes

|

Leiotriletes kopeckii

|

Kedves

|

Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

|

Leiotriletes maxoides

|

Krutzsch

|

Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

|

Leiotriletes microadriennis

|

Krutzsch

|

Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

|

Leiotriletes triangulus

|

Murriger & Pflug

|

Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity

|

Leiotriletes sp.

|

|

Fern spores of Schizaeaceae and Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity
A palynomorph component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation.

|

=Lycophyte spores=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Selaginellaceae

|

Echinatisporis

|

Echinatisporis hungaricus

|

Kedves

|

A spikemoss palynospecies

|

=Conifer pollens=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=3| Cupressaceae

|

Cupressacites

|

Cupressacites insulipapillatus

|

(Trevisan) Krutzsch

|

A taxodioid cypress family palynospecies

|

rowspan=2| †Inaperturopollenites

|

Inaperturopollenites concedipites

|

(Wodehouse) Krutzsch

|

A taxodioid cypress family palynospecies

|

Inaperturopollenites verrupapillatus

|

Trevisan

|

A taxodioid cypress family palynospecies

|

rowspan=2| Pinaceae

| rowspan=2| †Pityosporites

|

Pityosporites labdacus

|

(Potonié) Thomson & Pflug

|

A pine family palynomorph.
A component in zone 1–3 of the Messel Formation.

|

Pityosporites microalatus

|

(Potonié) Thomson Pflug

|

A pine family palynomorph.

|

=Basal angiosperm pollens=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Nymphaeaceae

|

Monocolpopollenites

|

Monocolpopollenites crassiexinus

|

Thiele-Pfeiffer

|

A waterlily family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Nymphaea

|

=Chloranthalean pollens=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Chloranthaceae

|

Emmapollis

|

Emmapollis pseudoemmaensis

|

Thiele-Pfeiffer

|

A chloranthaceous palynomorph
Possibly affiliated with Ascarina or Ascarinopsis

|

=Magnoliid pollens=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Magnoliaceae

|

Magnolipollis

|

Magnolipollis magnolioides

|

Krutzsch

|

A magnolia family palynospecies
Possible affiliated with Magnolia or Michelia

|

=Monocot pollens=

==Alismatalean pollens==

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Hydrocharitaceae

|

Punctilongisulcites

|

Punctilongisulcites microechinatus

|

Thiele-Pfeiffer

|

A frogbit palynomorph
A component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation.
Possibly affiliated with Blyxa, Ottelia, or Stratiotes

|

==Arecalean pollens==

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Arecaceae

|

Monocolpopollenites

|

Monocolpopollenites tranquillus

|

(Potonié) Thomson & Pflug

|

A palm family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Phoenix

|

==Commelinid pollens==

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=2| Cyperaceae

| rowspan=2| †Cyperaceaepollis

|

Cyperaceaepollis germanicus

|

Krutzsch

|

A sedge family palynospecies
Affiliated with Carex or possibly Lepironia

|

Unnamed

|

Krutzsch

|

A sedge family palynomorph
of uncertain generic affinity

|

rowspan=2| Restionaceae

| rowspan=2| †Milfordia

|

Milfordia incerta

|

(Thomson & Pflug) Krutzsch

|

A restiad family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Hypolaena, Leptocarpus, Lepyrodia, or Restio

|

Milfordia minima

|

Krutzsch

|

A restiad family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Lyginia

|

=Superasterid pollens=

==Campanulid pollens==

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=3| Aquifoliaceae

| rowspan=3| †Ilexpollenites

|

Ilexpollenites iliacus

|

(Potonié) Thiergart

|

A holly family pollen
Affiliated with Ilex

|

Ilexpollenites margaritatus

|

(Potonié) Thiergart

|

A holly family pollen
Possibly affiliated Ilex mucronata

|

Ilexpollenites propinquus

|

(Potonié) Potonié

|

A holly family pollen
Possibly affiliated Ilex mucronata

|

rowspan=2| Araliaceae

| rowspan=2| †Araliaceoipollenites

|

Araliaceoipollenites euphori

|

(Potonié) Potonié

|

An araliaceous pollen

|

Araliaceoipollenites reticuloides

|

Thiele-Pfeiffer

|

An araliaceous pollen

|

==Cornalean pollens==

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Nyssaceae

|

Nyssapollenites

|

Nyssapollenites kruschii

|

Potonié

|

A nyssaceous palynospecies.
Two described subspecies N. k. subsp. accessorius & N. k. subsp. analepticus

|

==Ericalean pollens==

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=2| Ericaceae

| rowspan=2| †Ericipites

|

Ericipites callidus

|

(Potonié) Krutzsch

|

A heather/heath family palynomorph
Of uncertain generic affiliation

|

Ericipites ericius

|

(Potonié) Potonié

|

A heather/heath family palynomorph
Of uncertain generic affiliation

|

Symplocaceae

|

Porocolpopollenites

|

Porocolpopollenites rarobaculatus

|

Thiele-Pfeiffer

|

A sweetleaf family palynospecies.
Affiliated with Symplocos

|

==Lamiid pollens==

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Icacinaceae

|

Compositoipollenites

|

Compositoipollenites rhizophorus

|

(Potonié) Potonié

|

A moonseed palynomorph affiliated with Iodes.

|

==Santalalean pollens==

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=2| Olacaceae

|

Anacolosidites

|

Anacolosidites efflatus

|

(Potonié) Erdtman

|

An anacoloseous palynospecies

|

Olaxipollis

|

Cf.Olaxipollis matthesi

|

|

An olacaceous palynomorph
Possibly affiliated with O. matthesi

|

=Superrosid pollens=

==Fabid pollens==

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Betulaceae

|

Polyvestibulopollenites

|

Polyvestibulopollenites verus

|

(Potonié) Thomson & Pflug

|

A betulaceous palynospecies
Affiliated with Alnus

|

rowspan=2| Cannabaceae

| rowspan=2| †Celtipollenites

|

Celtipollenites intrastructurus

|

(Krutzsch & Vanhoorne) Thiele-Pfeiffer

|

A hemp family palynospecies
Affiliated with Celtis

|

Celtipollenites laevigatus

|

Thiele-Pfeiffer

|

A hemp family palynospecies
Affiliated with Celtis

|

rowspan=15| Juglandaceae

| rowspan=2| †Caryapollenites

|

Caryapollenites circulus

|

(Pflug) Krutzsch

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
Affiliated with Carya

|

Cf.Caryapollenites triangulus

|

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Caryapollenites triangulus

|

Labraferoidaepollenites

|

Labraferoidaepollenites menatensis

|

Kedves

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Engelhardia

|

rowspan=2| †Momipites

|

Momipites punctatus

|

(Potonié) Nagy

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Engelhardtia, Oreomunnea, or Aifaroa

|

Momipites quietus

|

(Potonié) Nichols

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Engelhardtia

|

Nudopollis

|

Nudopollis terminalis

|

(Thomson & Pflug) Pflug

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
One named subspecies N. terminalis subsp hastaformis

|

rowspan=4| †Platycaryapollenites

|

Platycaryapollenites miocaenicus

|

Nagy

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
Affiliated with Platycarya

|

Platycaryapollenites platycaryoides

|

(Roche) Kedves

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
Affiliated with Platycarya

|

Platycaryapollenites semicyclus

|

(Krutzsch & Vanhoorne) Thiele-Pfeiffer

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Platycarya

|

Platycaryapollenites sp.

|

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
Affiliated with Platycarya
A component in zone 1–3 of the Messel Formation.

|

rowspan=4| †Plicatopollis

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Plicatopollis hungaricus

|

Kedves

|

A Walnut family palynospecies

|

Plicatopollis plicatus

|

(Potonié) Krutzsch

|

A Walnut family palynospecies

|

Plicatopollis pseudoexcelsus

|

Krutzsch

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
One named subspecies P. p. subsp. microturgidus''
Two unnamed subspecies

|

Plicatopollis Sp.

|

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
Not identified to species

|

Pterocaryapollenites

|

Pterocaryapollenites stellatus

|

(Potonié) Thiergart

|

A Walnut family palynospecies
Affiliated with Pterocarya

|

?Juglandaceae

|

Plicatopollis

|

Plicatopollis lunatus

|

Kedves

|

A palynospecies of possible juglandaceous affinity

|

rowspan=3| Ulmaceae

| rowspan=3| †Polyporopollenites

|

Polyporopollenites eoulmoides

|

Krutzsch & Vanhoorne

|

An elm family palynospecies

|

Polyporopollenites undulosus

|

(Wolf) Thomson & Pflug

|

An elm family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Ulmus or Zelkova

|

Polyporopollenites verrucatus

|

(Wolf) Thomson & Pflug

|

An elm family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Hemiptelea

|

==Malvid pollens==

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=5| Malvaceae

| rowspan=3| †Bombacacidites

|

Bombacacidites tilioides

|

Krutzsch

|

A bombacoid palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Bombax

|

Bombacacidites Sp.1

|

|

A bombacoid palynomorph
Described but not formally named
Affiliated with Bombax

|

Bombacacidites Sp.2

|

|

A bombacoid palynomorph
Described but not formally named
Affiliated with Bombax

|

rowspan=2| †Intratriporopollenites

|

Intratriporopollenites minimus

|

Mai

|

A tilioid palynospecies
Of uncertain generic affinity

|

Cf.Intratriporopollenites maxoides

|

|

A tilioid palynomorph
Possibly affiliated with I. maxoides

|

Thymelaeaceae

|

Pseudospinaepollis

|

Pseudospinaepollis pseudospinosus

|

Krutzsch

|

A thymelaeaceous palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Stellera or Wikstroemia

|

==Myrtalean pollens==

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Family

! Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

rowspan=2| Lythraceae

| rowspan=2| †Lythraceaepollenites

|

Lythraceaepollenites minimus

|

Thiele-Pfeiffer

|

A myrtle family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Rotala or Ammannia

|

Lythraceaepollenites sp.

|

|

A myrtle family palynospecies
Possibly affiliated with Rotala, Ammannia, or Woodfordia
Described but not named

|

=''Incertae sedis'' pollens=

class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%"
Genus

! Species

! Authority

! Notes

! Image

Brosipollis

|

Brosipollis striatobrosus

|

(Krutzsch) Krutzsch

|

Possible affinity is to Gomphandra (Icacinaceae) or Burseraceae

|

Compositoipollenites

|

Compositoipollenites minimus

|

(Krutzsch & Vanhoorne)

|

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

|

Labrapollis

|

Labrapollis labraferus

|

(Potonié) Krutzsch

|

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

|

rowspan=3 | †Multiporopollenites

|

Multiporopollenites microreticulatus

|

Krutzsch

|

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

|

Multiporopollenites Sp.1

|

|

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

|

Multiporopollenites Sp.2

|

|

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

|

rowspan=4 | †Pentapollenites

|

Pentapollenites pentangulus

|

(Pflug) Krutzsch

|

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
Two known subspecies P. p. subsp foveostriatus & P. p. subsp pentangulus

|

Pentapollenites punctoides

|

Krutzsch

|

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

|

Pentapollenites Sp.1

|

|

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

|

Pentapollenites Sp.2

|

|

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

|

Pollenites

|

Pollenites setarius

|

Potonié

|

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

|

Pompeckjoidaepollenites

|

Pompeckjoidaepollenites subhercynicus

|

(Krutzsch) Krutzsch

|

A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.

|

rowspan=2 | †Tricolporopollenites

|

Tricolporopollenites messelensis

|

Thiele-Pfeiffer

|

A palynomorph with suggested affinity to Oleaceae or Rutaceae
A component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation.

|

Tricolporopollenites solé de portai

|

Thiele-Pfeiffer

|

A palynomorph with suggested affinity to Rosaceae
A component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation.

|

References