Asterostemon E.M.Friis, P.R.Crane et K.R.Pedersen in Friis, Crane, Pedersen & Marone

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN003123

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:3123

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

Rank: genus

Reference for this name: Friis, E. M., Crane, P. R., Pedersen, K. R. & Marone, F. (2024): Cretaceous chloranthoids: early prominence, extinct diversity and missing links. – Annals of Botany 133: 225–260.

Page of description: 256

Type

Original diagnosis/description

Stamens ebracteate, closely packed, radially attached to a central axis. Anthers sessile or almost sessile, narrowly elongate, dithecate and tetrasporangiate, lacking a well-developed filament. Apical extension of connective distinct. Anther dehiscence lateral by longitudinal slits.
Pollen small to medium in size, tetrachotomocolpate, rarely trichotomocolpate or pentachotomocolpate, circular in outline, semi-tectate–reticulate, columellate, with long, scattered columellae and a homobrochate reticulum. Muri with a rounded profile and supratectal ornamentation composed of minute spines aligned in two rows along the margins of the muri. Aperture margin indistinct. Aperture membrane irregularly verrucate. Orbicules spherical, with fine verrucate–spiny ornamentation.

Etymology

From part of name of Asteropollis and stemon (Greek for stamen) for the Asteropollis producing fossil stamens.