An Eocene moncotyledon from Nelly Creek,Central Australia,with affinities to Hemerocallidaceae (Lilianae: Asparagales) |
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| Authors: | John G. Conran David C. Christophel Laura Cunningham |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , University of Adelaide , South Australia, 5005, Australia E-mail: john.conran@adelaide.edu.au;2. Department of Biological Sciences University of Denver , 2190E Iliff Avenue, Denver, CO, 80210, USA;3. School of Earth and Environmental Sciences , University of Adelaide , South Australia, 5005, Australia E-mail: john.conran@adelaide.edu.au |
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| Abstract: | A monocotyledonous partial leaf macrofossil from Eocene beds at Nelly Creek near Lake Eyre in Central Australia is described. It is recognised as being close to several extant Australasian species of Dianella Lam. ex Juss. (Hemerocallidaceae), especially the D. odorata Blume / D. bambusifolia Hallier f. complex. However, because it has unique cuticular features relative to extant Hemerocallidaceae, the fossil is assigned to the new genus and species Dianellophyllum eocenicum Conran, Christophel & Cunningham. |
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| Keywords: | Eocene Nelly Creek Central Australia Dianella Dianellophyllum monocotyledon macrofossil Asparagales Hemerocallidaceae |
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