Pterophylla (Cunoniaceae) – a New Genus for the Fossil Flora of Bulgaria

Abstract

New macrofossil material from Palaeogene sediments of the Hvoyna Basin (Central Rhodopes, Bulgaria) has been investigated. The material originates from sandstone--silstone deposits of Late Eocene–Early Oligocene age exposed near the village of Pavelsko. It represents the imprint of a leaflet assigned to the species Weinmannia paradisiaca.

Based on a revised interpretation of the generic affiliation of the nearest living relative of this fossil species – Weinmannia sylvicola (= Pterophylla sylvicola) – a new combination, Pterophylla paradisiaca (comb. nov.), is proposed. The genus Pterophylla is reported for the first time from the fossil flora of Bulgaria.

In addition, fossil material from the Early Oligocene flora of Brezhani (NW Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria), previously identified as Celastrus aeoli, is reinterpreted here as belonging to Pterophylla paradisiaca.