LITTLE, STEFAN A.1*, RUTH A. STOCKEY1, and GRAHAM BEARD2. 1CW 405, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Canada T6G 2E9; 2Vancouver Island Paleontology Museum, Qualicum Beach, British Columbia. - Angiosperm fruits and seeds from the Eocene of Vancouver Island.
Large numbers of permineralized angiosperm fruits and seeds and one
flower have been recovered from the Appian Way Locality (Late Eocene)
of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The plant remains were water
washed and preserved in calcareous concretions containing gastropods
that have been used to date the sediments. Plant remains at the
locality include conifer and angiosperm leaves and stems, toredo bored
wood, monocot roots, at least three types of ferns, and associated
fungi. Some of the most prominent recognizable fruits and seeds
include those of Juglandaceae, Annonaceae, Cornaceae (Mastixioideae)
and Magnoliaceae. These remains are closely comparable to those of the
London Clay Flora of southern England and the Clarno Nut Beds Flora of
western North America. At least 14 other kinds of unidentified fruits
and seeds have been recovered from Appian Way. Despite obvious
transport and abrasion, there is much promise for future study at this
locality due to the numbers of specimens available and their excellent
preservation.
Key words: Annonaceae, Cornaceae, Eocene, fruits, Juglandaceae, seeds