A brief review of the fossil history of the family Rosaceae with a focus on the Eocene Okanogan Highlands of eastern Washington State, USA, and British Columbia, Canada

Authors

M. L. DeVore, Georgia College & State University
K. B. Pigg, Arizona State University

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2007

Publication Title

Plant Systematics and Evolution

Abstract

Many of the oldest definitive members of the Rosaceae are present in the Eocene upland floras of the Okanogan Highlands of northeastern Washington State and British Columbia, Canada. Over a dozen rosaceous taxa representing extant and extinct genera of all four traditionally recognized subfamilies are known from flowers, fruits, wood, pollen, and especially leaves. The complexity seen in Eocene Rosaceae suggests that hybridization and polyploidy may have played a pivotal role in the early evolution of the family. Increased species diversity and the first appearance of additional modern taxa occur during the Late Paleogene in North America and Europe. The Rosaceae become increasingly important components of fossil floras during the Neogene, with taxa adapted to many habitats.

Department

Biological and Environmental Sciences

Volume Number

266

Issue Number

1-2

First Page

45

Last Page

57

Comments

© 2007 Springer.

DOI

10.1007/s00606-007-0540-3

Recommended Citation

DeVore, M.L., & Pigg, K.B. (2007). A brief review of the fossil history of the family Rosaceae with a focus on the Eocene Okanogan Highlands of eastern Washington State, USA, and British Columbia, Canada. Plant Systematics and Evolution, 266(1-2), 45-57.