Potomacanthus lobatus Balthazar, K.R.Pedersen, P.R.Crane, Stampan. et E.M.Friis

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN001970

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:1970

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

Rank: species

Genus: Potomacanthus Balthazar, K.R.Pedersen, P.R.Crane, Stampan. et E.M.Friis

Reference: von Balthazar, M., Pedersen, K. R., Crane, P. R., Stampanoni, M. & Friis, E. M. (2007): Potomacanthus lobatus gen. et sp. nov., a new flower of probable Lauraceae from the Early Cretaceous (Early to Middle Albian) of eastern North America. – American Journal of Botany 94(12): 2041–2053., link

Page of description: 2045

Illustrations or figures: figs 1–6

Name is type for

Types

Original diagnosis/description

Flower small, bisexual, actinomorphic, and trimerous. Perianth consisting of six tepals in two alternating whorls. Androecium of six stamens in two alternating whorls: the outer whorl opposite the outer tepals. No staminodes present. Stamens differentiated into anther and filament but without a distinct joint at the base of the anther. Anther dehiscence by two valves (interpreted as distally hinged). Gynoecium of one superior, unilocular carpel containing a single anatropous, pendant ovule. Ovary ascidiate, style plicate. Ventral slit of carpel fused; canal present in the innermost part of the ventral slit. Tepals of outer perianth whorl more or less the same length as those of the inner whorl, but broader and proximally overlapping the bases of the inner tepals. Long simple trichomes mainly on the abaxial surfaces of the tepals. Anther dehiscence by latrorse valves. Style round in cross section, becoming triangular toward its base. Ovary four-lobed in cross section.

Etymology

From Latin lobus (lobe), referring to the lobed gynoecium.

Stratigraphy

Cretaceous, Lower Cretaceous, Albian
Basal part of Subzone IIB, Potomac Group (Early to Middle Albian)

Locality

United States
Puddledock locality, Tarmac Lone Star Industries sand and gravel pit, located south of Richmond and east of the Appomattox River in Prince George County, Virginia