Mauldinia hirsuta sp. nov., a new member of the extinct genus Mauldinia (Lauraceae) from the late cretaceous (Cenomanian-Turonian) of Kazakhstan

A new species of the extinct genus Mauldinia (Mauldinia hirsuta) is based on three-dimensionally preserved inflorescence fragments and flowers from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian-early Turonian) of the Sarbay Quarry, northwestern Kazakhstan, Central Asia. It is distinguished from previously described species of Mauldinia by its smaller size and the broad, obovate, sometimes angular outline of the lateral inflorescence units, narrow floral tube, and the presence of a dense indumentum of stiff long hairs occurring on all surfaces of the inflorescence axis and lateral inflorescences units, basal part of inner tepals, as well as stamen filaments and carpels. The new finding considerably extends the geographic range of Mauldinia and provides additional evidence for a floristic link between eastern North America, Europe, and Central Asia during the mid- and Late Cretaceous. In addition to the distinct Mauldinia fossils, the Sarbay flora have also yielded a few isolated lauraceous floral organs that are probably part of the Mauldinia plant.