''Banksieaephyllum'' is a
plant
Plants are predominantly photosynthetic eukaryotes of the kingdom Plantae. Historically, the plant kingdom encompassed all living things that were not animals, and included algae and fungi; however, all current definitions of Plantae exclud ...
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the
Proteaceae
The Proteaceae form a family of flowering plants predominantly distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. The family comprises 83 genera with about 1,660 known species. Together with the Platanaceae and Nelumbonaceae, they make up the order Pro ...
tribe
Banksieae
The Grevilleoideae are a subfamily of the plant family Proteaceae. Mainly restricted to the Southern Hemisphere, it contains around 46 genus, genera and about 950 species. Genera include ''Banksia'', ''Grevillea'', and ''Macadamia''.
Descriptio ...
, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the genera ''
Banksia
''Banksia'' is a genus of around 170 species in the plant family Proteaceae. These Australian wildflowers and popular garden plants are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes, and fruiting "cones" and heads. ''Banksias'' range i ...
'' and ''
Dryandra
''Banksia'' ser. ''Dryandra'' is a series of 94 species of shrub to small tree in the plant genus ''Banksia''. It was considered a separate genus named ''Dryandra'' until early 2007, when it was merged into ''Banksia'' on the basis of extensiv ...
''. In most cases, leaves with triangular lobes were associated with ''Dryandra'', and leaves with serration were associated with ''Banksia''. In 1950,
Isabel Cookson
Isabel Clifton Cookson (25 December 1893 – 1 July 1973) was an Australian botanist who specialised in palaeobotany and palynology.
Early years and education
Cookson was born at Hawthorn, Victoria, and attended the Methodist Ladies' College ...
and Suzanne Duigan showed this policy to be flawed, by demonstrating that the leaves of the two genera cannot be reliably distinguished. Since these two genera then comprised tribe
Banksieae
The Grevilleoideae are a subfamily of the plant family Proteaceae. Mainly restricted to the Southern Hemisphere, it contains around 46 genus, genera and about 950 species. Genera include ''Banksia'', ''Grevillea'', and ''Macadamia''.
Descriptio ...
, Cookson and Duigan erected ''Banksieaephyllum'' to contain such leaves.
Since then, ''Banksia'' and ''Dryandra'' have been further grouped into subtribe
Banksiinae
''Banksia'' is a genus of around 170 species in the plant family Proteaceae. These Australian wildflowers and popular garden plants are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes, and fruiting "cones" and heads. ''Banksias'' range i ...
, and another subtribe,
Musgraveinae
The Grevilleoideae are a subfamily of the plant family Proteaceae. Mainly restricted to the Southern Hemisphere, it contains around 46 genus, genera and about 950 species. Genera include ''Banksia'', ''Grevillea'', and ''Macadamia''.
Descriptio ...
, erected to contain two new genera. Interpretations of ''Banksieaephyllum'' are now no longer consistent. Some botanists continue to hold that ''Banksieaephyllum'' is for fossil leaves that can be attributed to Banksieae but not to a genus; that is, they include fossils that cannot be excluded from the Musgravinae.
Others hold that Cookson and Duigan's intentions were for the genus to hold fossil leaves that are known to be ''Dryandra'' or ''Banksia'', but cannot be attributed to either with certainty; thus they now define the genus in terms of Banksiinae rather than Banksieae.
''Dryandra'' has now been transferred into ''Banksia''.
Although as yet undetermined, the latter interpretation would result in ''Banksieaephyllum'' becoming a nomenclatural synonym of ''Banksia''.
Fossils ascribed to ''Banksieaephyllum'' have been found in sediments dating from the
Paleocene
The Paleocene, ( ) or Palaeocene, is a geological epoch (geology), epoch that lasted from about 66 to 56 mya (unit), million years ago (mya). It is the first epoch of the Paleogene Period (geology), Period in the modern Cenozoic Era (geology), E ...
to early
Miocene
The Miocene ( ) is the first geological epoch of the Neogene Period and extends from about (Ma). The Miocene was named by Scottish geologist Charles Lyell; the name comes from the Greek words (', "less") and (', "new") and means "less recen ...
(). In 1998, the most recent synopsis, there were 16 species, including:
* ''
Banksieaephyllum acuminatum
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
'' Oligocene, Latrobe Valley, Victoria.
* ''
Banksieaephyllum angustum
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
'' Latrobe Valley - has long narrow leaves resembling ''
Banksia candolleana
''Banksia candolleana'', commonly known as the propeller banksia, is a species of shrub that is endemic to Western Australia. It has shiny green, deeply serrated leaves with triangular lobes and spikes of golden yellow flowers on short side br ...
'' or ''
B. formosa''.
* ''
Banksieaephyllum attenuatum'' - possibly not a member of proteaceae.
* ''
Banksieaephyllum cuneatum
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gen ...
'' Early Eocene (Deans Marsh and Anglesea, Victoria) and Middle Eocene (Golden Grove); may be more closely related to ''
Musgravea
''Musgravea'' is a genus of rainforest tree from north-eastern Queensland.
It was published in 1890 by Ferdinand von Mueller, and named in honour of Sir Anthony Musgrave, Governor of Queensland from 1883 to 1888. Together with its closest rel ...
''.
* ''
Banksieaephyllum elongatus
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
'' Late Oligocene - Early Miocene,
Loy Yang
The Loy Yang Power Station is a brown coal- fired thermal power station located on the outskirts of the city of Traralgon, in south-eastern Victoria, Australia. It consists of two sections, known as Loy Yang A (4 units) and Loy Yang B (2 units). ...
, Victoria.
* ''
Banksieaephyllum fastigatum
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
'' Oligocene, Yallourn, Victoria.
* ''
Banksieaephyllum incisum
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gen ...
''
* ''
Banksieaephyllum linearis
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
'' Early Oligocene, Lake Cethana, Tasmania. Leaves up to 5.5 cm long and 6 mm wide, resembling ''
Banksia spinulosa
''Banksia spinulosa'', the hairpin banksia, is a species of woody shrub, of the genus ''Banksia'' in the family Proteaceae, native to eastern Australia. Widely distributed, it is found as an understorey plant in open dry forest or heathland ...
'' in appearance but has some cellular characteristics of ''Musgravea''.
* ''
Banksieaephyllum longifolium
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
''
* ''
Banksieaephyllum obovatum
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
''
* ''
Banksieaephyllum orientalis
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
'' Early Oligocene, Lake Cethana, Tasmania.
[
* '']Banksieaephyllum pinnatum
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
'' Oligocene, Pioneer Tasmania
* ''Banksieaephyllum praefastigatum
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
'' Late Paleocene, Cambalong Creek (near Bombala), southern New South Wales.
* ''Banksieaephyllum regularis
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
'' - possibly not a member of proteaceae.
* '' Banksieaephyllum taylorii'' Late Palaeocene, Lake Bungarby, southeastern New South Wales.
* ''Banksieaephyllum urnifome
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
'' Late Oligocene - Early Miocene, Morwell, Victoria
* ''Banksieaephyllum westdaliense
''Banksieaephyllum'' is a plant genus that encompasses organically preserved fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
Before 1950, many fossil leaves were attributed to the gene ...
''
However, Carpenter, Jordan & Hill (2016) transferred the species ''B. incisum'' and ''B. cuneatum'' to the separate genus '' Banksieaefolia'', while also transferring the species ''B. acuminatum'' to the genus ''Banksia
''Banksia'' is a genus of around 170 species in the plant family Proteaceae. These Australian wildflowers and popular garden plants are easily recognised by their characteristic flower spikes, and fruiting "cones" and heads. ''Banksias'' range i ...
'' and renaming it '' Banksia cooksoniae''. In addition, the authors excluded the species ''B. attenuatum'', ''B. longifolium'', ''B. pinnatum'', ''B. praefastigatum'', ''B. regularis'' and ''B. westdaliense'' from Banksieae and transferred those species to the separate genus '' Pseudobanksia''.
See also
* ''Banksieaeformis
''Banksieaeformis'' is a genus that encompasses plant species only known from fossil leaves that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to an extant (living) genus. Unlike those classified in the related gen ...
'', a genus for fossil leaves with the same architecture as ''Banksieaephyllum'', but without organic detail; like ''Banksieaephyllum'', these can be attributed to tribe Banksieae, but not to a genus.
* ''Banksieaeidites
''Banksieaeidites'' is a plant genus that encompasses fossil pollen that can be attributed to the Proteaceae tribe Banksieae, but cannot be attributed to a genus.
It was published in 1950 by Isabel Cookson and Suzanne Duigan, on the grounds that ...
'', a genus for fossil pollen specimens that can be attributed to tribe Banksieae, but not to a genus.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q4856771
Proteaceae
Proteales of Australia
Prehistoric angiosperm genera
Extinct flora of Australia
Eocene plants
Paleocene plants
Miocene plants
Oligocene plants
Proteaceae genera