Sagaria cilentana gen. et sp. nov.-A New Angiosperm Fructification from the Middle Albian of Southern Italy

Abstract A single specimen of a new fossil angiosperm, Sagaria cilentana gen. et sp. nov., has been recovered from limestones of the “plattenkalk” of the Middle Albian at Monti Alburni, near Petina, Campania, Italy. Associated fossils include Pagiophyllum sp., Podozamites sp. and Zamites sp. The angiosperm has a main axis approximately 8 cm long with three attached leaves and a distal cyme bearing three fructifications. The fructifications display divided distal tips indicating three - four lobes. Four cm from the base, underneath the main axis, there is a lobed structure, presumably a leaf. An unattached leaf near the specimen is in a position that suggests that it comes from the same plant. The leaf has an elongate petiole, obtuse base and on the right side of the lamina are three lobes. Affinities are uncertain but show similarities in overall morphology to basal eudicots, especially Ranunculaceae.