Bamfordphyllum

Name

Bamfordphyllum

Rank

Genus

Authors (Pub.)

Passalia M. G. Llorens M. Páez M.  

Publication

First megafloristic record for Chubut Group at the Somuncurá-Cañadón Asfalto basin: an angiosperm dominated flora from the Puesto Manuel Arce Formation (Upper Cretaceous), Patagonia Argentina [2015/6]

Journal

Cretaceous Research

Volume

56

Page number

206

Year

2015

Parent Taxon

[Class] Magnoliopsida

Fossil Status

leaves

Type

Bamfordphyllum crassivenum

Diagnosis

Simple, microphyllous to nothophyllous leaves, with a petiole of marginal position. Laminar shape approximately elliptic, symmetrical to quite asymmetrical. Leaf blade palmately lobed, with typically 3 main lobes, each one formed by 2e3 minor lobes. Leaf margin untoothed. The lobes are convex in shape and end in a mucro. Base acute to obtuse, shape concave to concave-convex. Primary venation palinactinodromous, typically with three main veins of stout size arising decurrently from the petiole. The mid primary vein reaches the apex of the leaf. Lateral primaries dichotomize 2e3 times originating “subprimaries”. Some “subprimaries” reach the apex of lobes, while others are directed toward the sinus dichotomizing near the leaf margin and outlining an intramarginal vein that runs through the distal or proximal sides of lobes. Lobes are typically vascularized by three main veins; a principal mid-vein and two accessory (intramarginal) veins that fuse in the terminal lobe apex. Aweak vein disposed closely parallel to the leaf margin and exmedially to the intramarginal veins may be present in the lobes. Typically, one pair of secondaries originate from the mid-vein and curve upward until their course becomes sub-parallel or diverges slightly from the primary vein. These secondaries bifurcate and vascularize the apical lobes. Primaries, “subprimaries” and secondary veins stout to moderate with little differentiation in gauge. Venation of higher order not clearly preserved.