AN EOCENE MACROFLORA FROM THE TARATU FORMATION AT LIVINGSTONE, NORTH OTAGO, NEW-ZEALAND

A macrofloral fossil assemblage from fluvial Taratu Formation sediment s of Waipawan to Bortonian (Early to Middle Eocene) age, near Livingst one, North Otago, New Zealand, is described. The assemblage yielded tw o indeterminate coniferous taxa, thirteen taxa of angiosperm leaves, i ncluding Myrtaceae (aff. Eucalyptus, and aff. Rhodomyrtus/Rhodamnia), Proteaceae (cf. Orites excelsa), Sterculiaceae (Brachychiton populneus ), Elaeocarpaceae (Sloanea), probable Lauraceae, possible Passiflorace ae and two kinds of Myrtaceae reproductive structures. The original co mmunity is compared with extant vegetation in Australia and rainfall m ay have been seasonal.