A Redescription of the Australian Eocene Fossil Monocotyldeon Petermanniopsis (Lilianae: AFF. Petermanniaceae)

Abstract

The fossil monocotyledon Petermanniopsis angleseaënsis Conran et al. was known previously only from a single incomplete mummified leaf from the Site II Lens B of the Anglesea Coal Mine fossil deposit, Victoria. The recognition of three additional leaf impressions with cuticles from the Site I Mesophyll and Site II Lens B lenses at Anglesea allows for the amendment of the original description to include the leaf apex and estimates of size and cuticular variability. The leaves are confirmed as acrodromous, with acuminate apices and a short drip tip. The usefulness of the unusual marginal venation in Petermanniopsis as an identifying feature is also discussed. In addition, the stomata are brachyparacytic and amphibrachyparacytic, rather than anomocytic, as reported previously.