Floral Structure of Extant Quintinia (Paracryphiales, Campanulids) Compared with the Late Cretaceous Silvianthemum and Bertilanthus

Abstract

Flowers of extant Quintinia are described in detail on the basis of field observations and serial microtome sections and compared with flowers of the Late Cretaceous Silvianthemum suecicum and Bertilanthus scanicus on the basis of new analyses of the fossil material. The analyses of both extant and fossil material also include synchrotron-based X-ray tomographic microscopy. The study shows that Quintinia and Silvianthemum/Bertilanthus have more features in common than previously recognized and strongly reinforces their earlier assumed close relationships. Among important characters linking the three genera are similar secretory hairs on the floral surface and pedicel; short sepals; free, quincuncial petals; broad anthers with small pollen sacs; 4-aperturate pollen (in Silvianthemum and Quintinia); postgenital union of the 3–4 apocarpous styles (in Silvianthemum and Quintinia); connection of the apocarpous carpel parts with the floral base; downward tapering ovary and locule(s); placentation on incomplete ...