Langtonia bisulcata

Langtonia bisulcata

E.Reid et M.Chandler

Fossil group Plants
Order Cornales
Family Mastixiaceae
Genus Langtonia
Taxonomic status Accepted
Geological age Ypresian

Summary

Langtonia bisulcata was an early Eocene mastixioid plant known from elongate fruits with two seed chambers, although one chamber was often reduced or abortive. The woody endocarp formed a protective case around the seeds and opened along long germination valves.

Its most unusual feature is hidden inside the fruit: each seed cavity has two dorsal infolds, creating an epsilon-shaped outline in cross-section. This distinctive architecture is unlike the simpler curved locules of other London Clay mastixioids and provides a strong anatomical clue even when the outer fruit tissues have been lost.

Quick Identification

Look for: an elongate, generally smooth to shallowly ridged mastixioid stone about 9–20 mm long with two locules; CT or sectioning reveals two dorsal infolds in each locule, producing a distinctive ε-shaped cross-section.

Diagnostic Features

  • Fruit is elongate-ellipsoidal and about 9–20 mm long.
  • Endocarp is bilocular, although one locule is commonly reduced or abortive.
  • Each locule has two dorsal infolds, producing a characteristic epsilon-shaped transverse outline.
  • Each seed chamber is associated with an elongate germination valve.
  • Endocarp is strongly fibrous and is surrounded, where preserved, by relatively thin mesocarp and epicarp.

Fossil Details

Typical size
About 9–20 mm long.
Fossil material
Fruit
Preservation
Many specimens preserve mainly the woody endocarp, with the thinner outer fruit tissues missing. The paired dorsal infolds are internal and can be obscured by pyrite or breakage, so sectioned or CT evidence is especially useful for secure identification.

Recorded Fossil Sites

References

  • Steven R. Manchester; Margaret E. Collinson. (2022). Mastixioid fruits (Cornales) from the early Eocene London Clay Flora: morphology, anatomy and nomenclatural revision. Fossil Imprint, 78(1), 310–328 View reference
Last Reviewed
26 August 2026 Reviewed by Sam Harris