Nomenclatural novelties in the fossil genus Spinopalmoxylon (Arecaceae) from the Central European Oligocene and Miocene: A whole-plant concept for Spinopalmoxylon daemonorops

Abstract

Abstract The fossil genus Spinopalmoxylon from the Central European Oligocene and Miocene comprises three species: S. daemonorops, S. parvifructum sp. nov. and S. cicatricosum sp. nov. Here the species S. daemonorops is amended and its name is proposed as nomen conservandum against S. teutonicum. A series of synonyms is provided. In addition, two new species are described from late Oligocene deposits of Niederpleis: S. parvifructum sp. nov. (pistillate inflorescence, fruits, and seeds) and S. cicatricosum sp. nov. (staminate inflorescence and pollen). These three Spinopalmoxylon species together are proposed as a whole plant. Floras with the Spinopalmoxylon palm reflect the vegetation of the near-shore fluvial floodplain and back-swamp environments of the late Oligocene (Chattian) Köln Formation (Clay 1) and early Miocene (Burdigalian) Ville Formation (Seam 6A) in the northern foreland of the Siebengebirge Volcanic Field near Bonn, at the southeastern margin of the Lower Rhine Basin.