First palynological results of accessorial elements from the Langhian Schaßbach clay pit, Lavanttal Basin (Austria)–LM and SEM investigations of Cornales and Ericales

Abstract

Preliminary results of the palynoflora from the Schaßbach clay pit comprise accessorial floral elements of three Cornales and five Ericales pollen taxa that have modern living equivalents from different continents. The eight taxa are relatively rare in the palynological assemblages and are affiliated with the genera Nyssa, Mastixia, Erica, Vitellariopsis, Rehderodendron and Polyspora. Nyssa sp. resembles closely the deciduous Nyssa sylvatica of temperate America, the two Erica spp. resemble the south European tree heathers Erica arborea and Erica lusitanica, and Vitellariopsis sp. looks like evergreen Vitellariopsis marginata from subtropical southern Africa. The living equivalents of Mastixia spp., Rehderodendron sp. and Polyspora sp. are evergreen taxa from subtropical and tropical Asia.