Abstract
Abstract A rich palynomorph assemblage of early Miocene age was obtained from the phosphatic facies mudstone samples of the lower Monterey Formation exposed in the basal Lions Head section in the Santa Maria area, California. Angiosperm pollen of Acer, Achillea, Bombacaceae, Carya, Ericaceae, Onagraceae, Salix, and Ulmus occurs commonly. Among conifers, bisaccate Pinus pollen is well represented. Azolla glochidia and spores of Selaginella, Sphagnum, and Polypodium are sparse. Marine algae are represented abundantly by Pterospermella, Tytthodiscus, and several dinocysts, including Leptodinium, Operculodinium centrocarpum, Spiniferites, and Tuberculodinium vancampoae. The dinocyst assemblage, unstructured amorphous organic debris, and the lack of large spores support an offshore deep marine deposition under a prevailing warm temperate climate with an annual summer rainy season. The terrestrial source area encompassed freshwater pools and ponds in a marsh/swamp environment. Pine vegetation was present in elevated areas.
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