Szekessy Vilmos (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 56. (Budapest 1964)

Rásky, K.: Studies of Tertiary plant remains from Hungary

Remarks: Several specimens were found in the Upper Eocene marl layer. The longest pinnules attain even 10—10.5 cm. Similar, but not always identifiable Osmunda frond fragments are not rare from the Tertiary. The remained venation fragments from diverse parts of the fronds are different and not equivalent in comparison studies. JONGMANS & DIJKSTRA (1962, Pars 49, p. 2024) gave a comprehensive evaluation of the Tertiary Osmunda frond remains, too, listing also the recent species with which the several authors have compared their specimens. KRÄUSEL & WEYLAND (1950, p. 25) classified the Tertiary Osmunda remains on the basis of their histological structure. The major part of the remains were relegated to the form group of Osmunda lignitum (GIEB.) STUR, with the remark that, aside of Osmundaceae, also other ferns exhibit fronds of similar morphology. From the Tertiary of Hungary, PÁLFALVY (1951) and ANDREÁNSZKY (1962) mention Osmunda remains; and KEDVES (1962, 1963) published spore remains from Paleogene coal layers. The remains, published by KRYSTHOFOVITCH & PALIBIN (1956, p. 45, Tf. 1, Figs. 1—2) under the name Osmunda doroschkiana GOEPP., from the Oligocène of Mount Achutas, Kasahstan, are not identifiable with the Osmunda palaeobanksiaefolia fronds. Comparison with recent species: The very fine specimens found in the Upper Eocene of the Buda marl can be advantageously compared to the fronds of Osmunda banksiaefolia (PRESL) KUHN. The pinnules of Osmunda regalis L., and Osmunda japonica THUNB., are not so long, aside of the differences in their venation. Neither is the apex of the pinnules of Osmunda bromeliaefolia (PRESL) COPEL. as sharp, and its lateral venation exhibits simpler forkings than do the pinnules of Osmunda banksiaefolia. Owing to the striking similarity between the fossil remains and the recent Osmunda banksiaefolia, the remains can be satisfactorily separated under the name Osmunda palaeobanksiaefolia from the Osmunda lignitum group of heterogeneous forms. Engelhardtia brongniarti SAPORTA (Plate VII, Figs. 6—7) Description : Small fruits. The fruits are trilobate, the length of the wings nearly equal, about 1,5 cm, the lateral wings hardly shorter. The lateral wings point laterally and not forward. The nucellus is of medium size, sphaerical. The midrib of the wings is conspicuous, emitting alternating lateral veins, which anastomose. The interspaces of the lateral veins is filled by a polygonal network. Remarks: Considerably smaller fruits than the one described from the Rupelian clay layer. There was only one specimen, found in the Upper Eocene marl layer (Collect, nr. 55. 2246. 1.), which attained the size of the Oligocène specimen. These smaller specimens, found in the marl, are also not identical with the small fruits described by WEYLAND under the name Engelhardtia schlickumi, since their wings are narrower, not rounded, and the venation is also different. Comparison with recent species: The small-sized Engelhardtia fruits can be suitably compared to those of the recent Engelhardtia philippinensis A. DC. ( = E. spicata LECHEN). Kydia palaeocalycina RÁSKY (Textfig 6) Remarks: These suborbicular leaves, with rounded or subcordate bases and palmate venation, were already discussed, originating from the Upper Eocene marl of Budapest—

Óbuda (RÁSKY, 1956, p. 178, Pt. 31, Figs. 1—2). We submit hereby a new specimen of the taxon. Comparison with recent species: The leaf remains of Kgdia palaeocalycina and the calyx remains described under the name Kgdia hungarica from the Upper Eocene layer of the Buda marl are well comparable to the leaves, that is, calyces, of the recent Kydia calycina ROXB. This latter species is a 15—20 m high tree, first described from India. It is extremely common in south Yunnan, occuring in mixed oorests at altitudes of 800—1600 a. s. 1. Kydia is today a strictly Asiatic genus ranging form Sikkim to Indochina and China.