Spondias sheppeyensis E.Reid et M.Chandler

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN003717

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:3717

Authors: E. M. W. E. Reid & M. E. J. Chandler

Rank: species

Reference for this name: Reid, E. M. W. E. & Chandler, M. E. J. (1933): The London Clay flora. – Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History). Geology. the British Museum (Natural History), London: 561. Not public

Page of description: 305

Illustrations or figures: Ppl. 13, figs 32–41

Name is type for

Types

Original diagnosis/description

Endcocarp: Obovoid, with irregularly rounded contours, slightly compressed laterally (the effect of distortion ?), with five radially arranged oneseeded locules, longitudinally elongate and tangentially compressed, which communicate with the exterior by comparatively small oval apertures arranged in a ring about one-quarter of the length of the endocarp below the apex ; no pairs of small apertures can be seen at the worn base, but conspicuous canals with fibrous walls have been broken into and these were probably associated with such apertures ; endocarp formed mainly of granular parenchyma (cells from 0-05 to 0.1 mm. In diameter), within which, especially towards the exterior, are tortuous strands of fibres ; the locule lined by equiaxial clawed and interlocking cells 0.066 mm. In diameter. Length of endocarp, 12 mm.; greatest diameter, 10 mm.; least diameter, 9 mm.
Seed: Conforming in shape to the locule, slightly concave on the dorsal margin, thicker tangentially at the end nearest the top of the fruit than at the other; testa formed externally of regular polygonal cells (0.016 mm. in diameter) approximately in longitudinal rows, internally of elongate cells (from 0.016 to 0.025 mm broad) with sinuous walls due to irregular thickening. Length of seed, about 10 mm.; radial breadth, about 3 mm.; tangential thickness, from 1i mm. near the top of the fruit to 0.05 near the base.

Stratigraphy

Paleogene, Eocene
London Clay, Early Eocene

Locality

United Kingdom
Sheppey, Kent