Friisia lusitanica M.M.Mendes et J.Kvaček

Plant Fossil Names Registry Number: PFN000567

Act LSID: urn:lsid:plantfossilnames.org:act:567

Authors: M. M. Mendes & J. Kvaček

Rank: species

Genus: Friisia M.M.Mendes et J.Kvaček

Reference: Mendes, M. M. & Kvaček, J. (2020): Friisia lusitanica gen. et sp. nov., a new podocarpaceous ovuliferous cone from the Lower Cretaceous of Lusitanian Basin, western Portugal. – Cretaceous Research 108: 104352 (10 pp.).

Page of description: 3

Illustrations or figures: figs 4–7

Name is type for

Types

Original diagnosis/description

Ovuliferous cone consisting of decussately arranged ovuliferous complexes. Each ovuliferous complex lanceolate, with broad base, and pointed apex consisting of a bract and ovuliferous cone scale that is differentiated into woody basal part and parenchymatous and bulging apical part. Ovuliferous scale bearing single inverted seed, covered by parenchymatous and bulging structure. Margins of basal parts of bract with marginal papillae. Terminal ovuliferous complexes consisting of sterile bracts, devoid of seeds. Stomata on adaxial cuticle surrounded by structures resembling Florin rings. Seed wall consists of thickly cutinised cells.

Etymology

The specific epithet lusitanica is derived from Lusitania, the name for the imperial Roman province covering the central part of Portugal, where the fossil specimen was collected.

Stratigraphy

Cretaceous, Lower Cretaceous
Almargem Formation (upper Aptian – lower Albian)

Locality

Portugal
Catefica outcrop section close to the Torres Vedras locality, Estremadura region, western Portugal (39° 03′ 14.4″ N; 09° 14′ 24.1″ W)