A new xeromorphic conifer from the Cretaceous of East China

Newly discovered coniferous shoots from the Cretaceous of Nanjing are attributed to the xeromorphic coniferous genus Glenrosa Watson and Fisher, which is found in China as well as in Eurasia for the first time. G. nanjingensis sp. nov. is known from shoots bearing scale-like leaves with thick epidermal cuticle and hypodermis. Stomata are confined to the abaxial surface deeply sunken in stomatal chambers which are filled with papillae. The cuticle, which has been sectioned for TEM, consists of an outer pale amorphous cuticle proper, usually with a peripheral polylamellate zone, and an inner dark cuticular layer containing reticulate fibrillae. G. nanjingensis sp. nov. bears a close resemblance to the type species G. texensis (Fontaine) Watson and Fisher from North America in gross morphology and especially in the characteristic stomatal chambers, but differs in phyllotaxis and in having the hypostomatic leaf with an obtuse apex. G. nanjingensis sp. nov. is believed to have grown near inland marshes or water bodies under hot and arid climates.