The early middle Eocene Wagon Bed carpoflora of central Wyoming, U.S.A.
Abstract
The early middle Eocene Wagon Bed fruit and seed flora of central Wyoming encompasses nine morphotypes that are assignable to extant genera (Alangium, Aphanathe, Canarium, Carya, Celtis, Iodes, Mastixia, Nyssa, Pleiogynium), four that are assignable to extinct genera in extant families (Chandlera, Menispermaceae; Coryloides, Betulaceae; Pentoperculum, Anacardiaceae; Saxifragispermum, Salicaceae) and one morphotype potentially assignable to an extant family (Pandanaceae). At least 11 morphotypes remain unidentified due to incomplete characters, although some exhibit features suggestive, but not definitive, of extant families (e.g., Euphorbiaceae, Lauraceae, Nymphaeaceae, Rosaceae). Individual taxa exhibit paleobiogeographic links with the Eocene floras of the west coast of North America, as well as with those of the Eocene of Europe. Together with previously described pollen and woods, these fruits and seeds indicate a mixed evergreen and deciduous forest, existing under moist circumstances, possessing primary taxonomic affinities with extant paratropical taxa of the Old World.