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 }}
{{TOC right}}
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 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
| | | | 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 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 | | |
Peridiniaceae
| | | (A. Braun) Hansgirg | A chlorophyte green algae | |
Pteridophytes
class="wikitable" align="center" width="70%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Aspleniaceae
| | | | Fern pinnuels attributed to Asplenium | |
Conifers
class="wikitable" align="center" width="80%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Doliostrobaceae
| | | (Sternberg) Z. Kvaček emend. Kunzmann | A conifer of possible cupressaceous affinities | |
Podocarpaceae
| | | Engelhardt | Possible podocarpaceous foliage | |
Taxaceae
| | †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
| | | Gee & Taylor, 2018 | A transitional nymphaealean water lily genus | |
Incertae sedis
| Incertae sedis | | | Seeds of possible nymphaealean affinity |
Magnoliids
=Laurales=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=3 | Lauraceae
| | | | Seeds of lauraceous affinity | |
†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 | |
incertae sedis
| | | Seeds of lauraceous affinity | |
=Magnoliales=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=2| Magnoliaceae
| rowspan=2| Magnolia | | | A Magnolia species fruit | |
Magnolia sp.
| | Magnolia species seeds | |
Myristicaceae
| | | | A Myristicacarpum species seed | |
Monocots
=Alismatales=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=3 | Araceae
| rowspan=2 | †Araciphyllites | | (Engelhardt) Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005 | An araceous leaf | |
†Araciphyllites schaarschmidtii
| Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005 | An araceous leaf | |
†Caladiosoma
| | Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005 | An araceous leaf | |
=Arecales=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=4 | Arecaceae
| | 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 | |
†Calamopsis
| | | A Palm leaf | |
rowspan=2| Incertae sedis
| | | Pinnate palm leaves of possible lepidocaryoid tribal affinity. | |
incertae sedis
| | Palmate palm leaves of uncertain tribal affinity. | |
=Liliales=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=4 | Smilacaceae
| rowspan=4 | Smilax | | 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 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 | |
=Poales=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Cyperaceae
| | †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 | | |
Poaceae
| | | A.Braun ex Heer | A grass foliage | |
Basal eudicots
=Proteales=
=Ranunculales=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=13 | Menispermaceae
| | | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012 | A Cocculus species endocarp | |
Diploclisia
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012 | A Diploclisia species seed | |
†Karinschmidtia
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012 | A menispermaceous endocarp | |
†Martinmuellera
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012 | A menispermaceous genus seed | |
rowspan=3 | †Palaeosinomenium
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012 | A menispermaceous endocarp | |
†Palaeosinomenium venablesii
| Chandler, 1961 | A menispermaceous endocarp | |
†Palaeosinomenium sp.
| | A menispermaceous endocarp | |
Parabaena
| | | A menispermaceous endocarp | |
?Pericampylus
| | | A tentative Pericampylus species endocarp. | |
Stephania
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012 | A Stephania species seed | |
†Tinomiscoidea
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012 | A menispermaceous endocarp | |
†Wardensheppeya
| | | A menispermaceous endocarp | |
incertae sedis
| | | menispermaceous endocarp of Tinosporeae subfamily affinity | |
Superasterids
=Campanulids=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Torricelliaceae
| | | (Manchester) Manchester | A Toricellia species. | |
=Cornales=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Alangiaceae
| | | | An Alangium species likely belonging to Alangium sect. Marlea. | |
Cornaceae
| | †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
| | | | A germination valve similar to Beckettia | |
†Eomastixia
| | | An endocarp similar to Eomastixia rugosa | |
?Mastixia
| | | A possible Mastixia endocarp and mesocarp | |
†Mastixiopsis
| | Kirchheimer | A nyssaceous endocarp | |
rowspan=3 | Nyssa
| | (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
| | | | A Cleyera species. | |
Symplocaceae
| | †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 messelensis | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | A theaceous species. | |
=Lamiids=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Apocynaceae
| | | | A Cypselites species | |
Bignoniaceae
| | | | A catalpa species. | |
rowspan=12| Icacinaceae
| rowspan=2| †Palaeohosiea | | (Ettingshausen) Kvaček & Bůžek | A phytocrenaceous species. | |
incertae sedis
| | A Palaeohosiea endocarp. | |
Cleyera
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | A Cleyera species. | |
rowspan=3| †Icacinicarya
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | An icacinaceous species. | |
Icacinicarya tiffneyi
| Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | An icacinaceous species. | |
incertae sedis
| | An Icacinicarya endocarp. | |
Cf. Natsiatum
| | | An endocarp similar to Natsiatum. | |
†Palaeophytocrene
| | | A Palaeophytocrene endocarp. | |
Phytocrene
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | A Phytocrene species. | |
rowspan=2| Pyrenacantha
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | An unnamed Pyrenacantha species. | |
"Species 2"
| Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | An unnamed Pyrenacantha species. | |
Cf. Pyrenacantha
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | An endocarp similar to Pyrenacantha. | |
Superrosids
=Fabids=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Cannabaceae
| | | | A hemp relative fruit. | |
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
| | (Unger) Ettingshausen | An Elaeodendron species. | |
†Elaeodendron dryadum
| Ettingshausen | An Elaeodendron species. | |
†Elaeodendron obovatifolium
| Engelhardt | An Elaeodendron species. | |
Euonymus
| | Ettingshausen | A Euonymus species. | |
Elaeocarpaceae
| | | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | A Sloanea species fruit. | |
Euphorbiaceae
| | | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | Trilocular euphorb fruits. | |
rowspan=3| Fabaceae
| | | Engelhardt | A caesalpinioid legume species pod. | |
rowspan=2| †Leguminocarpon
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | A legume species pod. | |
†Leguminocarpon sp.
| | Legume species pods. | |
rowspan=3| Juglandaceae
| | | Manchester, Collinson, & Goth | A juglandaceous winged fruit. | |
†Hooleya
| | | A juglandaceous fruiting raceme. | |
†Palaeocarya
| | | A juglandaceous fruit. | |
Rhamnaceae
| | | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | A Berchemia buckthorn species fruit. | |
Rosaceae
| | †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
| | | (Ettingshausen) Manchester emend. Wilde & Manchester | An ulmaceous elm relative fruit. | |
=Malvids=
=Myrtales=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Lythraceae
| | | | Seeds of similar morphology to Decodon Not identified to species | |
=Saxifragales=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Altingiaceae
| | | Presl emend Mai, 1968 | A sweet gum species. | |
rowspan=3| Hamamelidaceae
| | | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | A Mytilaria species infructecence. | |
rowspan=2| Corylopsis
| | 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
| | | | A peppervine species seed. | |
Cayratia
| | (Gregor) Chen & Manchester | A Cayratia species seed. | |
†Crassivitisemen
| | (Chen & Manchester) Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde | Vitaceous species fruits and seeds. | |
†Palaeovitis
| | | A vitaceous species seed. | |
Parthenocissus
| | (Heer) Chandler, 1957 | Virginia creeper species fruits and seeds. | |
Vitis
| | Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012 | Grape species fruits and seeds. | |
''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
| | 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 | |
†Carpolithus sapindiformis
| Engelhardt | A Carpolithus species fruit | |
†Carpolithus sapindoides
| Engelhardt | A Carpolithus species fruit | |
Species 1–62
| | various distinct morphotypes | |
†Lagokarpos
| | | A Lagokarpos species winged fruit | |
†Saportaspermum
| | | A Saportaspermum species winged seed | |
†Spirellea
| | | A Spirellea species seed | |
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=
=Lycophyte spores=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Selaginellaceae
| | | Kedves | A spikemoss palynospecies | |
=Conifer pollens=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=3| Cupressaceae
| | †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 | | (Potonié) Thomson & Pflug | A pine family palynomorph. | |
†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 crassiexinus | Thiele-Pfeiffer | A waterlily family palynospecies | |
=Chloranthalean pollens=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Chloranthaceae
| | | Thiele-Pfeiffer | A chloranthaceous palynomorph | |
=Magnoliid pollens=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Magnoliaceae
| | | Krutzsch | A magnolia family palynospecies | |
=Monocot pollens=
==Alismatalean pollens==
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Hydrocharitaceae
| | †Punctilongisulcites microechinatus | Thiele-Pfeiffer | A frogbit palynomorph | |
==Arecalean pollens==
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Arecaceae
| | †Monocolpopollenites tranquillus | (Potonié) Thomson & Pflug | A palm family palynospecies | |
==Commelinid pollens==
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=2| Cyperaceae
| rowspan=2| †Cyperaceaepollis | | Krutzsch | A sedge family palynospecies | |
Unnamed
| Krutzsch | A sedge family palynomorph | |
rowspan=2| Restionaceae
| rowspan=2| †Milfordia | | (Thomson & Pflug) Krutzsch | A restiad family palynospecies | |
†Milfordia minima
| Krutzsch | A restiad family palynospecies | |
=Superasterid pollens=
==Campanulid pollens==
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=3| Aquifoliaceae
| rowspan=3| †Ilexpollenites | | (Potonié) Thiergart | A holly family pollen | |
†Ilexpollenites margaritatus
| (Potonié) Thiergart | A holly family pollen | |
†Ilexpollenites propinquus
| (Potonié) Potonié | A holly family pollen | |
rowspan=2| Araliaceae
| rowspan=2| †Araliaceoipollenites | | (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
| | | Potonié | A nyssaceous palynospecies. | |
==Ericalean pollens==
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=2| Ericaceae
| rowspan=2| †Ericipites | | (Potonié) Krutzsch | A heather/heath family palynomorph | |
†Ericipites ericius
| (Potonié) Potonié | A heather/heath family palynomorph | |
Symplocaceae
| | †Porocolpopollenites rarobaculatus | Thiele-Pfeiffer | A sweetleaf family palynospecies. | |
==Lamiid pollens==
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Icacinaceae
| | †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
| | | (Potonié) Erdtman | An anacoloseous palynospecies | |
†Olaxipollis
| | | An olacaceous palynomorph | |
=Superrosid pollens=
==Fabid pollens==
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
Betulaceae
| | †Polyvestibulopollenites verus | (Potonié) Thomson & Pflug | A betulaceous palynospecies | |
rowspan=2| Cannabaceae
| rowspan=2| †Celtipollenites | †Celtipollenites intrastructurus | (Krutzsch & Vanhoorne) Thiele-Pfeiffer | A hemp family palynospecies | |
†Celtipollenites laevigatus
| Thiele-Pfeiffer | A hemp family palynospecies | |
rowspan=15| Juglandaceae
| rowspan=2| †Caryapollenites | | (Pflug) Krutzsch | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
Cf. †Caryapollenites triangulus
| | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
†Labraferoidaepollenites
| †Labraferoidaepollenites menatensis | Kedves | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
rowspan=2| †Momipites
| | (Potonié) Nagy | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
†Momipites quietus
| (Potonié) Nichols | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
†Nudopollis
| | (Thomson & Pflug) Pflug | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
rowspan=4| †Platycaryapollenites
| †Platycaryapollenites miocaenicus | Nagy | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
†Platycaryapollenites platycaryoides
| (Roche) Kedves | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
†Platycaryapollenites semicyclus
| (Krutzsch & Vanhoorne) Thiele-Pfeiffer | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
†Platycaryapollenites sp.
| | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
rowspan=4| †Plicatopollis
| | Kedves | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
†Plicatopollis plicatus
| (Potonié) Krutzsch | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
†Plicatopollis pseudoexcelsus
| Krutzsch | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
†Plicatopollis Sp.
| | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
†Pterocaryapollenites
| †Pterocaryapollenites stellatus | (Potonié) Thiergart | A Walnut family palynospecies | |
?Juglandaceae
| | | 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 | |
†Polyporopollenites verrucatus
| (Wolf) Thomson & Pflug | An elm family palynospecies | |
==Malvid pollens==
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=5| Malvaceae
| rowspan=3| †Bombacacidites | | Krutzsch | A bombacoid palynospecies | |
†Bombacacidites Sp.1
| | A bombacoid palynomorph | |
†Bombacacidites Sp.2
| | A bombacoid palynomorph | |
rowspan=2| †Intratriporopollenites
| †Intratriporopollenites minimus | Mai | A tilioid palynospecies | |
Cf. †Intratriporopollenites maxoides
| | A tilioid palynomorph | |
Thymelaeaceae
| | †Pseudospinaepollis pseudospinosus | Krutzsch | A thymelaeaceous palynospecies | |
==Myrtalean pollens==
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Family
! Genus ! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
rowspan=2| Lythraceae
| rowspan=2| †Lythraceaepollenites | | Thiele-Pfeiffer | A myrtle family palynospecies | |
†Lythraceaepollenites sp.
| | A myrtle family palynospecies | |
=''Incertae sedis'' pollens=
class="wikitable" align="center" width="100%" |
Genus
! Species ! Authority ! Notes ! Image |
---|
†Brosipollis
| | (Krutzsch) Krutzsch | Possible affinity is to Gomphandra (Icacinaceae) or Burseraceae | |
†Compositoipollenites
| | (Krutzsch & Vanhoorne) | A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation. | |
†Labrapollis
| | (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
| | (Pflug) Krutzsch | A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation. | |
†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
| | 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 | |
†Tricolporopollenites solé de portai
| Thiele-Pfeiffer | A palynomorph with suggested affinity to Rosaceae | |