Pseudoeuryale sp.

Dedicated in memory of the late FrantiŠek Holý (1935 - 1984), an eminent Czech palaeobotanist, Holý, František, Kvaček, Zlatko & Teodoridis, Vasilis, 2012, A Review Of The Early Miocene Mastixioid Flora Of The Kristina Mine At Hrádek Nad Nisou In North Bohemia (The Czech Republic), Acta Musei Nationalis Pragae Series B 68 (3 - 4), pp. 53-118 : 60-62

Pseudoeuryale sp.

Pl. 4, fig. 22

1977a Pseudoeuryale sp. ; Holý, p. 111 (Hrádek/N., Kristina Mine).

Fragmentary seed very wrinkled and compressed, 4.8 mm long, with a rounded operculum on the apex surrounded by an indistinct area with hilum outside ( Holý 1975, p. 21, pl. 3, fig. 4).

D i s c u s s i o n: According to Holý (1975), the single specimen corresponds to the diagnosis of the extinct genus Pseudoeuryale DOROFEEV (1972) based on the material from the Miocene of Isakovka, western Siberia.This ancient element closely related to the living Euryale was according to Dorofeev (1974) widely distributed from the Netherland to Japan, and also in Central Europe in the late Cenozoic.

M a t e r i a l: A single seed, G 3050.

Schisandraceae BLUME (incl. Illiciaceae A.C. SM. )

Illicium L. Illicium germanicum MAI

Pl. 4, fig. 23

1970b Illicium germanicum MAI , p. 449, pl. 99, fig. 22 (Wiesa). 1977a Illicium germanicum MAI ; Holý, p. 112 (Hrádek/N.,

Kristina Mine).

The seed is elongate- elliptic, narrowed towards the base, 8.5 mm long and 3.2 mm wide, hilum 1.1 mm wide forming entrance into oblique space within the base, on its thin margin divided into fine teeth, four wide and flat longitudinal ridges radiate from hilum on the inner side of sclerotesta, outer surface densely and finely striate, diverging obliquely apically, perpendicular in the middle and obliquely basally above the base, sclerotesta showing prismatic sclereids, micropyle not observed ( Holý 1975, p. 22, pl. 3, fig. 4).

D i s c u s s i o n: According to Holý (1975) the described specimen is specifically identical with Illicium germanicum MAI (1970b) described from Wiesa. The single specimen is too incomplete preventing us from verifying this statement. Illicium verum HOOK. (Himalayas to Fujian) was indicated as the nearest living relative.

M a t e r i a l: One seed, G 4603.

Lauraceae JUSS.

Laurus L. Laurus abchasica (KOLAKOVSKII et SHAKRYL) FERGUSON

Pl. 1, fig. 9, pl. 10, figs 10-11

1958

1966

1974

1975

Laurophyllum abchasicum KOLAKOVSKII et SHAKRYL in KOLAKOVSKII, p. 346, pl. 7, figs 1-3, pl. 10, figs 4-8 (Duab). Laurophyllum abchasicum KOLAKOVSKII et SHAKRYL ; Kvaček and Bůžek, p. 201 (“ abchasiacum ”), pl. 1, figs 1-2, pl. 4, fig. 7 (lectotypification) (Hrádek/N., Kristina Mine). Laurus abchasica (KOLAKOVSKII et SHAKRYL) FERGUSON , p. 64, text-figs 7A-H, 8A-D, 9A-D, 10 (Kreuzau).

Litsaeophyllum miocenicum JUCHNIEWICZ , p. 81, pl. 10, figs 1-2 (Turów).

Two fragments of leaf lamina up to 10 mm long, 7 mm wide, apex and base not preserved, margin entire, venation probably brochidodromous, midrib strong, moderate, secondaries alternate, originating at an angle of 40–50°, venation of higher orders poorly preserved. Adaxial epidermis smooth, cell outlines polygonal, only slightly elongate over veins, anticlinal walls fine undulate, abaxial epidermis medium cutinized, smooth, non-modified cells polygonal, 20–30 µm in diameter, anticlinal walls very fine and regularly Ω-like undulate, stomata brachyparacytic, rounded to rhomboidal, (15–) 20–25 µm long and 15–20 µm wide, with submerged subsidiary cells leaving very narrow traces on the cuticle surface, solitary simple trichome bases on veins, mesophyllous oil cells lens-shaped, 30–35 µm in diameter, abundant.

D i s c u s s i o n: Kvaček (1966) first assigned this fossil species to Laurus in his unpublished thesis, which confirmed the view of Kolakovskii and Shakryl (in Kolakovskii 1958) who suspected affinities of Laurophyllum abchasicum to Laurus . Kvaček and Bůžek (1966) corrected the measurements of the epidermal structure and the omission of the typification but did not form the necessary nomenclatural changes. Ferguson (1974) correctly introduced a legitimate combination based on a detailed comparative study of the living representatives. The relationship to the fossil Laurus pliocaenica (SAPORTA et MARION) KOLAKOVSKII (1964) still remains unresolved. Ferguson (1974) stated that Laurus azorica (SEUB.) FRANCO (= Laurus canariensis WEBB et BERTH. non WILLD.) of the Canary Islands must be considered as the nearest living relative rather than L. nobilis L. of the Mediterranean. Worobiec (2007) summariz- ed the so far published records of Laurus abchasica and added new occurrences from Turów ( Juchniewicz 1975, as a dispersed cuticle taxon Litsaeophyllum miocenicum ) and Bełchatów. Kürschner (in Kürschner et al. 2008, Kürschner and Kvaček 2009) followed stomatal density of individual populations of this lineage and stated that variation was dependent on climatic trends during the Oligocene till present.

M a t e r i a l: Fragmentary leaf compressions, G 8890a-b, 8891 (KR 46, 176).

Ocotea AUBL. Ocotea hradekensis (KVAČEK et BŮŽEK) KVAČEK Pl. 1, fig. 11, pl. 10, fig. 12, pl. 11, fig. 1

1966

1971

1996

Laurophyllum hradekense KVAČEK et BŮŽEK , p. 292, pl. 2, figs 2-3, pl. 4, figs 5-6 (Hrádek/N., Kristina Mine).

Laurophyllum hradekense KVAČEK et BŮŽEK ; Kvaček, p. 60, pl. 2, fig. 14, pl. 8, fig. text-fig. 8 (Hrádek/N., Kristina Mine).

Ocotea hradekensis (KVAČEK et BŮŽEK) KVAČEK in BŮŽEK et al., p. 25, pl. 16, figs 1-2, pl. 18, fig. 3 (Cheb Basin).

Incomplete simple leaves and leaf fragments, petiolate, lamina elliptic to obovate, 19 mm long, 11 mm wide, base cuneate, narrowed into petiole (up to 9 mm long), apex blunt to emarginated, margin entire, venation brochidodromous, midrib strong, straight or slightly (?secondarily) curved, secondary veins distinct, originating at an angle of 30–40°, looping by margin, alternate, ovoid glands in axils of lower pair of secondaries preserved, tertiary veins perpendicular, straight to sinuous, rarely forked, venation of higher orders regular polygonal reticulate, areolation well developed, 3- to 4-sided, veinlets dichotomous to dendritic branched. Adaxial epidermis moderately cutinized, smooth, non-modified cells polygonal 25 and more µm in diameter, anticlinal walls coarsely wavy to almost straight, abaxial epidermis in general similar to the adaxial, bearing brachyparacytic stomata 25–30 (36) µm long, guard cells deeply sunken, leaving broad ledges not reaching the stomatal poles. Hydathods present on the abaxial leaf side. Lens-shaped mesophyllous oil cells common.

D i s c u s s i o n: Because of similar stomatal patterns and regular occurrence of axillar glands attached to the base of the lower secondaries, Kvaček (in Bůžek et al. 1996) suggested a recombination of Laurophyllum hradekense with Ocotea and listed O. foetens (AIT.) BAILL. from the Canary Islands as the nearest living relative. The relationship to Ocotea heerii (GAUDIN) MAI is still open because of the lack of epidermal characteristics of the latter Pliocene species.

M a t e r i a l: Fragmentary leaf compressions, G 8892- -8893, 8894a-b, 8895a-HOLO, 8895b, 8896, 8962 (KR 56, 186, 190, 246, 247, 300, 415).

Ocotea rhenana MENZEL Pl. 4, figs 24-25

1913 Ocotea rhenana MENZEL , p. 30, pl. 4, figs 2-5 (Herzogenrath).

1913 Carpolithus complanatus MENZEL (non ENGHELHARDT 1898), p. 72, pl. 6, figs 15-16 (Herzogenrath).

1938 Laurocalyx rhenanus (MENZEL) KIRCHHEIMER , p. 333, pl. 4, figs 8-11(Wiesa).

1942 Laurocarpum rhenanum (MENZEL) KIRCHHEIMER , p. 434, text-figs 10-12 (Wiesa).

1977a Ocotea rhenana MENZEL ; Holý, p.112 (Hrádek/N., Kristina Mine).

Globular to ovate fruits embedded in wide cupules, broadly rounded at base, well compressed due to fossilisation, 8–20 mm in diameter. Upper margin of cupules smooth, straight, outer as well inner surface smooth, wrinkled only due to compression. Cupules reaching towards one third or one half of the length of fruits, on the base abruptly narrowing into a short, stout stalk.

D i s c u s s i o n: According to Holý (1975) the material from the Kristina Mine fully corresponds with the type specimens from Herzogenrath ( Menzel 1913) and other sites in Upper Lusatia (Kirchheimer 1938, 1942, Mai 1964, 1971). We hesitate to combine this carpological material with co-occurring foliage because it is uncertain to which fossil species it should be assigned. Laurophyllum pseudoprinceps described below is one candidate, because it is sometimes closely associated with Ocotea rhenana in Rhineland (Z. Kvaček, own observation).

M a t e r i a l: More than 50 more or less mature fruits in cupules or empty cupules and fragments, G 4607, 8825, 8826, 8827.

Ocotea dorofeevii HOLÝ

Pl. 4, figs 26-27

1977a Ocotea dorofeevii HOLÝ , p. 116, pl. 3, figs 1-7 (Hrádek/N., Kristina Mine).

For the description and discussion see Holý (1975, 1977a).

M a t e r i a l: Eight fruits and cupules, G 4318, 4321-22,

4324-25.

Sassafras TREW. Sassafras cf. lusaticum MAI

Pl. 4, figs 28-29

? 1971 Sassafras lusaticum MAI , p. 324, pl. 34, fig. 16 (Schlabendorf).

1977a Sassafras cf. lusaticum MAI ; Holý, p. 112 (Hrádek/N., Kristina Mine).

Cupules narrow funnel-shaped, 5.5–6.8 mm long and 4.0–5.3 mm wide, narrowing into long, thin and longitudinally striate stalk, upper edge of cupules straight to wavy, bent inside, outer surface wrinkled, occasionally with six distinct keels ( Holý 1975, p. 44, pl. 7, fig. 2).

D i s c u s s i o n: As stated by Holý (1975), the identification is equivocal due to poor preservation and scarcity of the material.

M a t e r i a l: Empty cupules, G 3063, 8966.

Phoebe NEES Phoebe bohemica MAI

Pl. 4, fig. 30

1971 Phoebe bohemica MAI , p. 318, pl. 33, fig. 5 (Zittau Basin). 1977a Phoebe bohemica MAI ; Holý, p. 112 (Hrádek/N., Kristina

Mine).

Cupules thin-walled, empty 3.7– 5 mm long, with fruits

6–8.7 long, 3.0–4.2 mm wide, perianth penta- to hexameric, tips elliptic, free, starting from the stalk, in immature specimens very thin, smooth, in mature tough and slightly thickened, irregularly wrinkled, cupules to the base abruptly narrowed into woody wrinkled stalk. Fruits rounded ovoid to ellipsoidal, finely granulate on the surface or very finely striate longitudinally, with a short point on the apex, at maturity reaching high above the cupules ( Holý 1975, p. 45, pl. 7, fig. 3).

D i s c u s s i o n: Holý (1975) confirmed the identification of the recovered fossils by matching them with the type material of this element known only from the Zittau Basin.

M a t e r i a l: Cupules, some with fruits inside, G 3051, 8967, 8968.

Laurophyllum GÖPPERT