<i>Endressinia brasiliana</i>, a Magnolialean Angiosperm from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation (Brazil)

Abstract

A fossil angiosperm from the Brazilian Crato Formation, Endressinia brasiliana n. gen. n. sp., is described. The fossil consists of a branching axis with attached simple, narrowly ovate leaves and several terminal small flowers. One of these multiparted flowering structures is well preserved and seems close to anthesis. Tepals, staminodes, and apocarpous follicles show cellular details, such as ethereal cells. Broad staminodes bear lateral knobs that are interpreted as glands. The gynoecium consists of ca. 20 free apocarpous carpels. Among recent Magnoliales, several families share with Endressinia the floral feature of having staminodes. Only Himantandraceae and Eupomatiaceae share the character of having staminodes with glands, which are broad in Eupomatia. Thus, Endressinia might be sister to Eupomatiaceae; however, it also might represent an extinct lineage with convergent staminode morphology.