<i>Picea glauca</i>pollen from late glacial deposits in central texas

Abstract

Abstract Fossil Picea pollen recovered from the Boriack Bog in central Texas are from layers radiocarbon dated as being older than 15,000 years in age. In an effort to identify the species of fossil spruce present, a comparison between modern Picea species and the fossil Picea grains was conducted with aid of a scanning electron microscope. Those studies revealed the closest correspondence between the fossil Picea pollen and modern pollen of Picea glauca. The presence of Picea glauca in the regional vegetation near the bog is further supported by macrofossil evidence from late‐glacial localities in Louisiana. These new data enable a reevaluation of the proposed east‐central Texas late‐glacial vegetation and a comparison with similar late‐glacial flora in the southeastern United States.