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

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN003124

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:3124

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

Rank: species

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

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: 257

Illustrations or figures: figs 16A–H

Name is type for

Types

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

In honour of Richard Warren Hedlund, in recognition
of his contribution to Cretaceous palynology.

Stratigraphy

Cretaceous, Lower Cretaceous, Albian
Figueira da Foz Formation, Early Cretaceous (late Aptian–early Albian).

Locality

Portugal
Vale de Água clay pit complex, western Portugal
(39°37ʹ15″N, 8°51ʹ30″W).