Cornus clarnensis

Cornus clarnensis; Temporal range: ; Middle Eocene 45-43mya PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Cornales
Family:	Cornaceae
Genus:	Cornus
Species:	†C. clarnensis
Binomial name
	†Cornus clarnensis; Manchester

Cornus clarnensis is an

middle Eocene sediments exposed in north central Oregon.^[1] The species was first described from a series of isolated fossil seeds in chert.^[1]

History and classification

Cornus clarnensis has been identified from a single location in the

silica and calcium carbonate cemented tuffaceous sandstones, siltstones, and conglomerates which preserve either a lake delta environment, or alternatively periodic floods and volcanic mudflows preserved with hot spring activity.^[1]

The species was described from a series of type specimens, the holotype specimen USNM 422378, which is currently preserved in the paleobotanical collections of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., and four paratype specimens.^[1] Two of the paratypes are also in the National Museum collections, while the remaining two are in the University of Florida collections in Gainesville, Florida. The fossils were part of a group of approximately 20,000 specimens collected from 1942 to 1989 by Thomas Bones, Alonzo W. Hancock, R. A. Scott, Steven R. Manchester, and a number of high school students.^[1]

The Cornus clarnensis specimens were studied by paleobotanist Steven R. Manchester of the University of Florida. He published his 1994 type description for C. clarnensis in the journal

specific epithet clarnensis was chosen in recognition of the town of Clarno located just west of the nut beds.^[1]

Description

The fruits of Cornus clarnensis are generally

Cornus species.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Manchester, S.R. (1994). "Fruits and Seeds of the Middle Eocene Nut Beds Flora, Clarno Formation, Oregon". Palaeontographica Americana. 58: 30–31.

External links

Plate 9 of Palaeontographica Americana, Volume 58, page 138

[Manchester1994-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Manchester, S.R. (1994). "Fruits and Seeds of the Middle Eocene Nut Beds Flora, Clarno Formation, Oregon". Palaeontographica Americana. 58: 30–31.

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