A Reinvestigation of the Fossil Viguiera cronquistii (Compositae)

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Abstract
In view of the significance recently ascribed to the uppermost Oligocene-lowermost Miocene fossilViguiera cronquistii, a putative composite head, a reinvestigation of the type material was considered desirable. The type specimen was obtained on loan from the New York Botanical Garden and investigated with all applicable standard paleobotanical techniques. The specimen consists of a laterally compressed globular head terminally attached to a short stalk. The head is composed of from 5–7 ranks of from 12–15 spirally arranged linear-lanceolate bracts with some smaller ovate bracts near the base. The stalk bears bracts that are proximally appressed and free distally. There is no sign of cuticle, pollen, detailed impressions of cells or any structural presevation beyond gross morphology. There is no structural corroboration for the presumption that the head is composed of anything besides bracts. The type specimen is indeed similar in gross morphology to heads ofViguiera. It is equally similar to the inflorescences of angiosperms other than the composites and even to the cones of certain gymnosperms. This fossil cannot be considered unequivocally to be the remains of a composite.

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