The Dawn Angiosperms: Uncovering the Origin of Flowering Plants

Description

This book, besides providing necessary background information and discussions, focuses on the earliest angiosperms: namely those more than 125 million years old. Currently 125 million year old angiosperms, are the oldest to be found - especially in the eyes of European scholars. It proceeds by introducing several interesting angiosperms from the Jurassic and early Cretaceous, including Schmeissneria (early-middle Jurassic, 160-199 million years old (Ma)), Xingxueanthus (middle Jurassic, 160 Ma), Solaranthus (middle Jurassic, 164 Ma), Callianthus (early Cretaceous, 125 Ma), Chaoyangia (early Cretaceous, 125 Ma), Archaefructus (early Cretaceous, 125 Ma), Sinocarpus (early Cretaceous, 125 Ma). Others are currently being processed. These fossils, most of which have hitherto not been published,will uncover many unknown aspects of early angiosperms, and help to solve the mystery surrounding their origin. Front Matter....Pages i-xxi Introduction....Pages 1-4 Suggested Angiosperm Ancestors....Pages 5-16 Angiosperms: Characters and Criteria....Pages 17-27 Background for the Plant Fossils....Pages 29-36 Flowers from the Early Cretaceous....Pages 37-89 Flower-Related Fossils from the Jurassic....Pages 91-153 Trace of Possible Angiosperms in the Jurassic....Pages 155-161 Making of the Flower....Pages 163-187 General Conclusions....Pages 189-194 Appendix....Pages 195-212 Back Matter....Pages 213-236