Fokienia ravenscragensis

Name

Fokienia ravenscragensis

Rank

Species

Generic Name

[Genus] Fokienia

Authors (Pub.)

McIver E. E. Basinger J. F.  

Publication

Fossil seed cones of Fokienia (Cupressaceae) from the Paleocene Ravenscrag Formation of Saskatchewan, Canada [1990/8]

Journal

Canadian Journal of Botany

Volume

68

Issue

7

Page number

1610

Year

1990

Fossil Status

leafy twigs (with cones)

Stratigraphy

Paleocene

Strat. comment

Ravenscrag Formation

Location

Ravenscrag Butte, 17 km southwest of Eastend, Saskatchewan, Canada

Paleoregion

America (North)

Data for Holotypus

Repository Number

US3-167

Data for Paratypus

Repository Number

US3-22; US3-26; US3-43

Diagnosis

Foliage frond-like; branching pinnate, opposite, forming flat sprays without overlapping of branches. Branches well separated on axis, arising in the axils of lateral leaves, 5.0- 35.0 mm apart, diverging from midline at angles of 3040" on twigs, 40-50" on major axes. Leaves scale-like, thin, whorled, four-ranked, persistent. Facial keaves obovate to narrow oblanceolate, appressed, 2.5-20.0 mm long, 1.5-2.0 mm wide, length to which ratio 2:l to 11:l; apex acuminate or mucronate, thickened; midline conspicuous. Lateral leaves lanceolate, folded, decurrent, commonly falcate, 2.5-20.0 mm long, 0.5-1.5 mm wide; length to width ratio 3:l to 13:l; apex acute or attenuate, leaf tip closely appressed to facial leaf, very rarely free; lateral margins distinctly thickened, juncture of lateral leaves concealed by preceding facial leaves. Seed cones borne in opposite pairs, terminating stout peduncles 5.0-6.0 mm long, 1.0-1.5 mm in diameter, persistent on axis after seed dispersal; dehisced cones subglobose, about 12.0 mm long, 10.0 mm wide. Cone scales 8-10, woody, decussate, valvate, peltate, 0.4-0.6 mm long, 0.4-0.5 mm wide, with shield rhomboid in shape, inner surfaces longitudinally striate, outer surface adorned by centrally positioned umbo, 0.1 mm long. Pollen cones and seeds not known.