Epilobiumpollen from Oligocene sediments in New Zealand

Abstract

Corsinipollenites epilobioides Krutzsch 1968 from late Oligocene Pomahaka Estuanne Bed sediments possesses morphological featutes that demonstrate a close similarity to extant Epiloblum. The occurrence of Epilobium in New Zealand at this time indicates that a previous hypothesis regarding the paleobiogeography of the genus needs to be reconsidered. Whether the apparent Epilobium present in the late Oligocene of New Zealand gave rise to any ofthe modem species is not known.