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
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
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.
Comments
© 2007 Springer.