Kaszab Zoltán (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 77. (Budapest 1985)

Hably, L.: New data to the Eocene flora of Hungary

Map. 3. The range of Sabal major in Hungary; 1 =Budapest, Óbuda, 2=Eger, Wind-brickyard, 3 =Ipolytarnoc. — B =Lower Oligocène, E =Ottnangian 1865 Sabalites major SAPORTA, p. 83, PL 2. 1958 Sabal major (UNG.) HEER; TAKHTAJAN, p. 1668, PL 1. 1960 Sabal major (UNG.) HEER; WEYLAND, p. 6, PL 2, Figs 12-16. 1978 Sabal major (UNG.) HEER; MAI & WALTHER, p. 148, PL 49, Figs 1-7. Three specimens have been found in the locality, one with counter-proof. All remains are only rests. One lobe of the flabellata lamina is 1-1.2 cm wide. In the middle of lobe there is a thick vein; raning along it the lamina breaks into a V shape. Two remains consist of four, one of two lobes. The species has so not far been found in the Hungarian Eocene. Its large-scale appearance is in Ipolytarnóc (HABLY 1985), dated Ottnangian. Other localities are known from the Lower Oligocène (RÁSKY 1964) of Budapest, Óbuda and from the Upper Oligocène of Eger, Wind-brickyard (NAGYNÉ & PÁLFALVY 1960). An ecological analysis of the species and climatological conclusions Although only a few species have been analysed, a broad outline of the nature of the climate may be drawn. The presence of the palm tree is indicative of a warm, humid climate. This supposition is substantiated by the other palaeotropical elements as well. Though Engelhardia orsbergensis has a wide ecological valency, that mainly applies to its water requirement since it temperature requirements are high and it always occurs in thermophilous floras. It is known from abundant finds from the Lower Oligocène of Hungary. It is known from the Upper Oligocène only from one locality and even there in very low number. It was again widespread in the warm climate of the Lower Miocene, being abundant at Ipolytarnóc. It even appeared in the Sarmatian at Erdőbénye and Tállya. In both of these floras tropical elements appeared besides the predominant eastern mediterranean species. Zizyphus zizyphoides is also a palaeotropical element. Its occurrence in Hungary is restricted to the Lower Oligocène where it is abundant. It has been found in the Upper Oligocène only in one locality, and there are uncertain records from the Lower Miocene. Zizyphus zizyphoides might have existed in large numbers in the humid climate of the Eocene and the dryer period of the Lower Oligocène. Its disappearance at the end of the Paleogene was presumably due not entirely to climatological causes since it did not re-