Lignieriopsis

Name

Lignieriopsis

Rank

Genus

Authors (Pub.)

Friis E. M. Crane P. R. Pedersen K. R.  

Publication

Chlamydospermous seeds document the diversity and abundance of extinct gnetalean relatives in early cretaceous vegetation [2019/7]

Journal

International Journal of Plant Sciences

Volume

180

Issue

7

Page number

000 [7] 649

Year

2019

Parent Taxon

[Phylum] Gnetophyta

Fossil Status

seeds

Type

Lignieriopsis stenosperma

Diagnosis

Seeds small and orthotropous. Integument free from seed envelope for its full length except at the base, where it is broadly attached. Integument apically extended into a long micropylar tube. Micropylar tube formed by an inner and an outer epidermis. Micropylar canal open apically, closed farther down by the cells of the inner epidermis that are expanded radially toward the center of the canal. Seed envelope elongate ellipsoidal to ovate and obovate, four-angled in transverse section. Surface of seed almost smooth. Inner surface of seed envelope in the micropylar region smooth, without papillae. Outer epidermis of seed envelope of polygonal, longitudinally aligned cells with a thick cuticle and scattered stomata. Sclerenchyma zone of seed envelope of short, radially extended cells separated from the outer epidermis by a zone of parenchyma. Sclerenchyma thickest in the micropylar region. Inner tissue of seed envelope of short, transversely elongated, thin-walled cells.