Inflorescence with tricolpate pollen grains from the Cenomanian of Tschulymo-Yenisey Basin, West Siberia

A new taxon Freyantha sibirica gen. et sp. nov. is erected for a delicate r acemose inflorescence from the Cenomanian of the Tchulymo-Yenisey Basin, We st Siberia. The inflorescence bears male flowers of partly connate stamens that produced tricol-pate reticulate pollen grains. The flowers are subtend ed by calyptrate bracts. The taxonomically significant features of the gene ral inflorescence morphology, prophylls, floral bracts, stamens and pollen grains are shared with different angiosperm groups, such as the Menispermac eae and Sargentodoxaceae. Prominent glands on the floral bracts indicate po llination by nectar-sucking insects. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rig hts reserved.