A new species of Sparganium from the Eocene of Fushun, Liaoning Province

GENG Bao-Yin

Received:1900-01-01 Revised:1900-01-01 Online:1999-03-10 Published:1999-03-10
Contact: GENG Bao-Yin

Abstract:

Sparganium fushunense Geng is described as new from the Jijuntun Formation

(Middle to Late Eocene) of Fushun region in Liaoning Province, China. The preserved fer-

tile branches bear fruiting heads. A morphological comparison of the fruit heads is made be-

tween the specimens studied here with those of the living species and other fossil species.

The results show that the new species is distinguishable mainly by the shape of the tepals and

the size of the fruits.

Sparganium fushunense Geng, sp. nov.

Head-bearing axis at least 14.5 cm long, about 1.0 mm wide, with longitudinal striae

more or less parallel on its surface. Axes with 4～6 lateral fruit heads, interval between

heads 0.5～2.0 cm. Fruiting head sessile, globose, about 5 mm in diameter, made up of

tightly packed tepals and fruits radiating from a small receptacle. Tepals narrowly obovate,

apically rounded, about 1.8 mm long, 0.2～0.7 mm wide. Fruits elliptic, sessile, with

smooth surface, 1.16～1.25 mm long, at apex with a beak 1.5～2.0 mm long. Seed ellip-

tic, long axis 0.48～0.75 mm long, short axis 0.23～0.45 mm long. Seed coat cells irregu-

larly polygonal , 4.1～19 vn in diameter, with smaller ones in both the apical and basal

parts,the larger ones in the middle part and a papillate process at the apex.

Key words: Fushun, Eocene, Sparganium, S. fushunense

GENG Bao-Yin. A new species of Sparganium from the Eocene of Fushun, Liaoning Province[J]. .

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