Miocene floras in the lower Rhenish Basin and their ecological interpretation

Abstract

Some 29 samples containing fruits and seeds were collected in three open cast mines in the lower Rhenish Basin. They all originate from Upper Miocene deposits. The samples were analysed for their fruit and seed contents and these are described shortly. Four new species: Erica palaeoarborea, Vaccinium miocenicum, Rhynchospora tertiaria and Potamogeton extremitatus are formally described. The floras are interpreted ecologically using the ecological comparison table method and a reconstruction of the landscape is presented.