Abstract
Two species of coryphoid palm fruits are described, Coryphoides poulseni n. gen. et n.sp. and Coryphoicarpus globoides n.gen. et n.sp. The former has been found in the Upper Danian (formerly Lower Paleocene) of Qaersutjægerdal in central Nûgssuaq, the latter in the Lower Danian of the valley of Tunorssuaq, Nûgssuaq. The chief criteria for the determination of these fossil species as coryphoid palms are: 1) the big bulbous ingrowth from the functional pericarp of the placental region into the seed along the axis of the fruit (here called the columella), 2) the seed consisting mainly of a large cup-shaped endosperm, surrounding the columella, and 3) the small, saccate embryo inserted from the surface of the seed into the endosperm. Coryphoides poulseni n. gen. et n.sp. is distinguished by the position of the embryo, the existence of a 'chalaza valve' and the characteristics of the columella, including the shape of the placental scar. Coryphoicarpus globiodes n. gen. et n.sp. shows the same basic structure as Coryphoides poulseni n.gen. et n.sp. but differs from the latter in size and shape of the placental scar, shape of columella, course of the funiculus, position of chalaza, shape of 'the chalaza valve' and the position of the embryo. The determinations are based upon a comparative study of a number of recent coryphoid palms and of Palmospermum excavatum Reid & Chandler.
Highlights
ThiS publication describes fossil fruits and seeds from localities in the interior of Nugssuaq, West Greenland, where Danian deposits are exposed
From the centre of the placental scar and through the base of the columella structure we find in the median length-section the disintegrated, but still visible, funiculus
The strand enters the testal and endocarpal layers. It is on the opposite side of the placental scar that we find the stylar scar (p. 21)
Summary
No 89 The significance of the kakortokite in the evolution of the llImaussaq in· trusion, South Greenland. 1970 by John Ferguson (Meddr Grønland 190,1). 1970 by John Ferguson (Meddr Grønland 190,1). No 91 Plutonic nodules in lamprophyric carbonalite dykes near Frederikshåb, South-West Greenland. 1970 by Hans Jørgen Hansen (Meddr Grønland 193, 2). 1971 by Janina Szczechura (Meddr Grønland 193, 1). I. On the mineralogy and paragenesis of tugtupite Na.Al.Be.Si.Ou(CI,Sls from the Illmaussaq alkaline intrusion, South Greenland. The colour and luminescence of tugtupite (beryllosodalite) from IJlmaussaq, South Greenland. Fossil Picrodendroid fruit from the Upper Danian of ugssuaq, West Greenland. Coryphoid palm fruits and seeds from the Danian of ugssuaq, Wcst Greenland.
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