Elaeocarpus (Elaeocarpaceae) endocarps from the Oligo-Miocene of Eastern Australia

Abstract

Elaeocarpus peterii.sn nov. is described from the Oligo-Miocene Glencoe locality in central Queensland. This species has prominent stellate ridges and fine punctate ornamentation. These features support a close relationship to extant E. steffaris L.S. Smith fronl northeastern Queenlsland.Elaeocarpus clarkei(F. Muell). Selling is redescribed. The punctate ornamentation and large oval endocarps of E. clarkei (F. Meull).are closely comparable to extant E. bancroftii F. Muell. & F.M. Bail. and E. linsmithii G.P. Guymer from north eastern Queensland. Elaeocarpus clarkei is a common element in many oligo-Miocene deep leads in southeastern Australia. The age of some of the deep leads (buried placer deposits) in Victoria, e.g. Haddon and Foster, is discussed; the limited data available suggests a minimum mid-Miocene age for these localities.