Sphaeriodes ventricosa

Sphaeriodes ventricosa

(Bowerbank) Reid et Chandler

Fossil group Plants
Order Icacinales
Family Icacinaceae
Genus Sphaeriodes
Taxonomic status Accepted
Geological age Ypresian

Summary

Sphaeriodes ventricosa produced a compact, almost spherical fruit stone with a heavy woody wall. The exterior is coarsely nodular to rugose rather than arranged into the neat reticulate ridges typical of Iodes. At the apex the stylar region is accompanied by paired knob-like structures, while internally the primary vascular bundle is embedded in the wall and the locule lining carries minute papillae.

The internal anatomy resembles Iodes in several respects, but the globose form, very thick wall and coarse external sculpture are distinctive enough for Sphaeriodes to remain a separate fossil genus. The endocarp enclosed a single seed inside a drupaceous fruit; the softer flesh is not preserved. Nothing in the fossil directly identifies the parent plant as a tree, shrub or climber, so its life form should be described only at the broader woody-Icacinaceae level.

Quick Identification

Look for: a globose, heavy-walled fruit stone with a coarse nodular/rugose exterior rather than a flat reticulate surface. The apex has paired knob-like structures; CT/sectioning should show an embedded marginal bundle and a very finely papillate locule lining.

Diagnostic Features

  • Endocarp is globose to nearly spherical, rather than strongly lenticular.
  • External surface is coarsely nodular or rugose.
  • Wall is very thick and woody, composed of large sclereids with irregular or sinuous walls.
  • Primary marginal vascular bundle is embedded within the endocarp wall.
  • Locule lining is minutely papillate and the apical stylar region is flanked by paired knob-like structures.

Fossil Details

Typical size
About 10–16 mm long, 10–15 mm wide and 10–14 mm thick.
Fossil material
Seed, Fruit
Preservation
Coarse external nodes are prone to abrasion and can be rounded off, making the stone look deceptively smooth. Cracking and pyrite alteration also obscure the very fine locule papillae, which may require CT or sectioned preservation.

Similar Species

Recorded Fossil Sites

No fossil-site occurrences have yet been recorded for this species.

References

  • Eleanor Mary Reid; Marjorie Elizabeth Jane Chandler. (1933). The London Clay Flora. . British Museum (Natural History), London View reference
  • Gregory W. Stull; Neil F. Adams; Steven R. Manchester; Dan Sykes; Margaret E. Collinson. (2016). Revision of Icacinaceae from the Early Eocene London Clay flora based on X-ray micro-CT. Botany, 94(9), 713–745 View reference
  • Margaret E. Collinson; Neil F. Adams; Steven R. Manchester; Gregory W. Stull; Fabiany Herrera; Selena Y. Smith; Mary J. Andrew; Paul Kenrick; Dan Sykes. (2016). X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) of pyrite-permineralized fruits and seeds from the London Clay Formation (Ypresian) conserved in silicone oil: a critical evaluation. Botany, 94(9), 697–711 View reference
Last Reviewed
26 August 2026 Reviewed by Sam Harris