taxonID	type	description	language	source
0395900FFFD07F66EAF06227FD80FDB6.taxon	diagnosis	Generic diagnosis	en	Fu, Qiang, Diez, Jose Bienvenido, Pole, Mike, Ávila, Manuel García, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Chu, Hang, Hou, Yemao, Yin, Pengfei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Du, Kaihe, Wang, Xin (2018): An unexpected noncarpellate epigynous flower from the Jurassic of China. eLife (e 38827) 7: 1-24, DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38827.001, URL: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.38827.001
0395900FFFD07F66EAF06227FD80FDB6.taxon	description	Flowers subtended by bracts. Bracts fused basally. Flowers pedicellate, actinomorphic, epigynous, with inferior ovary. Sepals 4 – 5, rounded in shape, each with usually 4 – 6 longitudinal ribs in the center and two lateral rib-free laminar areas, attached to the receptacle rim with their whole bases, surrounding the petals when immature, with epidermal cells with straight cell walls. Petals 4 – 5, cuneate, concave, each with usually 5 – 6 longitudinal ribs in the center and two lateral rib-free laminar areas, with rounded tips, surrounding the gynoecium when immature, with epidermal cells with straight cell walls. Gynoecium in the center, unilocular, fully closed by a cup-form receptacle from the bottom as well as sides and by an integral ovarian roof from the above. Style centrally attached on the top of the ovarian roof, dendroid-formed. One to three seeds inside the ovary, elongated oval, hanged on the ovarian wall by a thin funiculus, with the micropyle-like depression almost opposite the chalaza.	en	Fu, Qiang, Diez, Jose Bienvenido, Pole, Mike, Ávila, Manuel García, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Chu, Hang, Hou, Yemao, Yin, Pengfei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Du, Kaihe, Wang, Xin (2018): An unexpected noncarpellate epigynous flower from the Jurassic of China. eLife (e 38827) 7: 1-24, DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38827.001, URL: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.38827.001
0395900FFFD07F66EAF06227FD80FDB6.taxon	vernacular_names	Type species Nanjinganthus dendrostyla gen. et sp. nov.	en	Fu, Qiang, Diez, Jose Bienvenido, Pole, Mike, Ávila, Manuel García, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Chu, Hang, Hou, Yemao, Yin, Pengfei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Du, Kaihe, Wang, Xin (2018): An unexpected noncarpellate epigynous flower from the Jurassic of China. eLife (e 38827) 7: 1-24, DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38827.001, URL: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.38827.001
0395900FFFD07F66EAF06227FD80FDB6.taxon	etymology	Etymology Nanjing- for Nanjing, the city where the specimens were discovered, and - anthos for ‘ flower’ in Latin.	en	Fu, Qiang, Diez, Jose Bienvenido, Pole, Mike, Ávila, Manuel García, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Chu, Hang, Hou, Yemao, Yin, Pengfei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Du, Kaihe, Wang, Xin (2018): An unexpected noncarpellate epigynous flower from the Jurassic of China. eLife (e 38827) 7: 1-24, DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38827.001, URL: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.38827.001
0395900FFFD07F66EAF06227FD80FDB6.taxon	materials_examined	Type locality Wugui Hill, Sheshan Town, Qixia District, Nanjing, China (N 32 ˚ 0800 190, E 118 ˚ 5800 200) (Figure 1 — figure supplement 1).	en	Fu, Qiang, Diez, Jose Bienvenido, Pole, Mike, Ávila, Manuel García, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Chu, Hang, Hou, Yemao, Yin, Pengfei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Du, Kaihe, Wang, Xin (2018): An unexpected noncarpellate epigynous flower from the Jurassic of China. eLife (e 38827) 7: 1-24, DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38827.001, URL: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.38827.001
0395900FFFD07F66EAF06227FD80FDB6.taxon	biology_ecology	Horizon The South Xiangshan Formation, the Lower Jurassic. Species	en	Fu, Qiang, Diez, Jose Bienvenido, Pole, Mike, Ávila, Manuel García, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Chu, Hang, Hou, Yemao, Yin, Pengfei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Du, Kaihe, Wang, Xin (2018): An unexpected noncarpellate epigynous flower from the Jurassic of China. eLife (e 38827) 7: 1-24, DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38827.001, URL: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.38827.001
0395900FFFD37F69EAF06547FDE0FB7B.taxon	diagnosis	Specific diagnosis the same as the genus.	en	Fu, Qiang, Diez, Jose Bienvenido, Pole, Mike, Ávila, Manuel García, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Chu, Hang, Hou, Yemao, Yin, Pengfei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Du, Kaihe, Wang, Xin (2018): An unexpected noncarpellate epigynous flower from the Jurassic of China. eLife (e 38827) 7: 1-24, DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38827.001, URL: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.38827.001
0395900FFFD37F69EAF06547FDE0FB7B.taxon	description	Description The flowers are frequently concentrated and preserved in groups on certain bedding surfaces (Figures 1 a – g and 2 a – b), although many of them are preserved as isolated individuals on other slabs. Flower bud Aflower bud is preserved as a coalified compression, 6.4 mm long and 3 mm wide, with characteristic longitudinal ribs on the sepals and petals (Figure 2 g). The sepals are estimated to be 1.3 – 2.2 mm long and approximately 1.8 mm wide (Figure 2 g). The petals (including the eclipsed portion) are estimated to be approximately 3.7 mm long (Figure 2 g). The receptacle / ovary is approximately 3 mm in diameter (Figure 2 g). Mature flower The flowers are preserved in various states (including coalification), with cup-form receptacle, epigynous with an inferior ovary, 8.4 – 10.7 mm in length and 6.8 – 12.8 mm in diameter, actinomorphic in the bottom and top views (Figures 1 a-g, 2 a-f, h, 3 a-b, d-f, 4 a-b, d, g, 5 e-i, 6 a, f, j, l and 7 a, e). The pedicel is approximately 0.76 mm in diameter (Figure 6 a, b). Basally fused bracts 0.7 – 3.7 mm long are observed at the bottom in a few flowers, and a stoma is seen on a bract (Figures 4 g-h, 7 e, h, and 8 h). The receptacle is cup-form, 3 – 4.8 mm in diameter and 2 – 4.5 mm high, surrounded by a 0.3 mm thick wall in the bottom and sides, and covered by an ovarian roof from the above (Figures 2 h – i, 4 d, 5 h, 6 a – b and 7 a, e – f, i). Scales are attached on the sides of the receptacle / ovary (Figures 3 a – b, 4 a, g – h, 5 i and 7 a, e, i). The sepals are 1.7 – 3 mm long and 2.7 – 4.3 mm wide, with two lateral rib-free laminar areas and usually four longitudinal ribs in the center, and attached to the receptacle rim with their whole bases (Figures 2 c-f, 3 d-f, 4 a, b, d-e, 5 i, l, 6 l, 7 e, i, 9 a). The elongated epidermal cells are, 44 – 156 µm x 33 – 54 µm, with straight cell walls in the middle region, while isodiametric epidermal cells 16 – 71 µm x 10 – 54 µm are seen in the lateral laminar areas of the sepals (Figures 8 g, 9 h-k and 10 d-f). The petals are 3.1 – 6.6 mm long, 1.9 – 5.4 mm wide, compressed to only about 11 µm thick, with two lateral rib-free laminar areas, a cuneate base, and 5 – 6 longitudinal ribs in the center, located inside the sepals on the rim of the receptacle (Figures 2 c – f, h, j, 4 a, b, d, 6 a, f, 7 a, e, i, 8 a – f, 9 a – g). The ribs are approximately 0.12 mm wide, forking only basally, with elongated epidermal cells with straight cell walls, 32 – 144 µm x 17 – 30 µm on the abaxial and 19 – 72 µm x 13 – 29 µm on the adaxial (Figures 8 a-f, 10 a-b). The lateral laminar areas are free of ribs, and each is approximately 1.2 mm wide, with isodiametric epidermal cells 23 – 64 µm x 18 – 37 µm (Figures 8 e, 9 g). Apossibly immature stoma is seen on one of the petals (Figure 10 c). An unknown organ (staminode?) is seen once on the rim of the receptacle (Figure 6 a, m). The ovarian roof is horizontal, with smooth integral outer and inner surfaces, 0.14 – 0.22 mm thick, with a style vertically located on its center (Figures 4 c, 5 h, 6 f and 7 a – c, e – g). The style is 0.3 – 0.8 mm in diameter, with lateral branches that make the width of the style 3 – 6 mm (Figures 2 h – i, 3 a – b, 5 i – j, 6 a, c and 7 a – d). The basalmost pair of the lateral branches appear oppositely arranged along the style (Figures 2 h and 3 b) while the upper ones appear irregularly arranged (Figures 2 i, 6 a and 7 c – d). There are longitudinal faint striations on the surface of the style (Figures 3 c and 5 j). There are 1.6 – 3.6 mm long and 1.7 – 2.2 mm wide round-triangular scales on the sides of the ovary (Figures 2 g, 3 b, 4 a, g – h and 5 i). Each ovary contains one to three seeds that are 0.65 – 3 mm x 0.5 – 1.7 mm, elongated or oval-shaped (Figures 2 f, 5 a, c and 6 d, f – l), hanged on the inner wall of the ovary by a 0.08 – 0.27 mm wide funiculus (Figures 5 e and 6 d – e). A micropyle-like depression 0.15 × 0.36 mm is seen on a seed (Figure 5 a, d).	en	Fu, Qiang, Diez, Jose Bienvenido, Pole, Mike, Ávila, Manuel García, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Chu, Hang, Hou, Yemao, Yin, Pengfei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Du, Kaihe, Wang, Xin (2018): An unexpected noncarpellate epigynous flower from the Jurassic of China. eLife (e 38827) 7: 1-24, DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38827.001, URL: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.38827.001
0395900FFFD37F69EAF06547FDE0FB7B.taxon	materials_examined	Holotype Figure 2 d (PB 22222 B). Isotypes Figure 6 a, f (PB 22222 a), Figure 7 e – i (PB 22281), Figure 5 h (PB 22279). Specimens PB 22222 - PB 22229, PB 22236, PB 22238, PB 22241 - PB 22243, PB 22245 - PB 22247, PB 22256 - PB 22260, PB 22278 - PB 22282, PB 22489.	en	Fu, Qiang, Diez, Jose Bienvenido, Pole, Mike, Ávila, Manuel García, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Chu, Hang, Hou, Yemao, Yin, Pengfei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Du, Kaihe, Wang, Xin (2018): An unexpected noncarpellate epigynous flower from the Jurassic of China. eLife (e 38827) 7: 1-24, DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38827.001, URL: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.38827.001
0395900FFFD37F69EAF06547FDE0FB7B.taxon	etymology	Etymology dendrostyla, for ‘ tree-like’ (dendri -) and ‘ style’ (- stylus) in Latin.	en	Fu, Qiang, Diez, Jose Bienvenido, Pole, Mike, Ávila, Manuel García, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Chu, Hang, Hou, Yemao, Yin, Pengfei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Du, Kaihe, Wang, Xin (2018): An unexpected noncarpellate epigynous flower from the Jurassic of China. eLife (e 38827) 7: 1-24, DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38827.001, URL: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.38827.001
0395900FFFD37F69EAF06547FDE0FB7B.taxon	discussion	Remarks The receptacle is ‘ the axis of a flower on which the perianth, androecium and gynoecium are borne’ (Stevens, 2018). This is the definition followed here. The important characteristic of the receptacle in Nanjinganthus is its cup form, a form frequently seen in more derived angiosperms according to the APG system. Adendroid style is seen in ten flowers (four in PB 22224, Figures 2 h and 3 a – b; four in PB 2222 a, Figures 2 i, 5 f – g, 6 a and 7 d; one in PB 22282, Figure 7 a – c; one in PB 22489, Figure 5 i – j). The repeated occurrences of such an unexpected feature in the specimens of Nanjinganthus underscore its truthful existence. The dendroid-form distal portion of the gynoecium may be branched stigmas in Nanjinganthus. But it is possible that these lateral appendages on the style are actually pollen sac complexes, as are similarly attached on the style in extant Malvaceae (Judd et al., 1999). We have performed a meticulous fluorescence microscopic examination of this structure and found no trace of pollen grains, reducing the possibility that these lateral branches are clusters of pollen sacs, which is the case seen in some angiosperms (Malvaceae). Abranched distal projection is apparently lacking in all known gymnosperms, but it has been seen some derived angiosperms, such as Passifloraceae, Poaceae and Euphorbiaceae (Heywood, 1978). One of the advantages of a branched style is the increased receptive area, which is conducive to anemophilous pollination. The occurrence of such feature in Nanjinganthus might suggest that Nanjinganthus had yet not established a close cooperation with animals (insects). However, it is noteworthy that this feature is not seen among extant basal angiosperms sensu APG (Chase et al., 2016). Considering the extremely early age of Nanjinganthus, we refrain from correlating Nanjinganthus with assumed derived taxa (Malvaceae and Rosaceae). We hope the future research may shed more light the nature of this part of Nanjinganthus. We have not seen any trace of the carpels typical of Magnoliales, which were previously believed by some to represent ancestral angiosperms. The seeds are physically enclosed by the cup-form receptacle and ovarian roof in Nanjinganthus. This constitutes the foundation based on which we justify our interpretation of Nanjinganthus as an angiosperm. The lack of carpel typical of Magnoliales cannot prevent Nanjinganthus from being an angiosperm as many angiosperms are actually ‘ acarpellate’ (Heads, 1984; Sattler and Lacroix, 1988). It is noteworthy that, at least in some of basal angiosperms such as Nymphaea (Nymphaeales) (Taylor, 1991; Taylor, 1996) and derived angiosperms such as Cactaceae (Boke, 1964), the ovary is inferior and the seeds are attached to the ovarian walls. Whether the ovaries in these taxa share similar derivation pathway is a question worthy of further investigation. Four terms are used to describe the foliar parts in Nanjinganthus, namely, bract, scale, sepal, and petal. These terms are used according to the following demarcations and definitions. Bracts designate the foliar parts subtending the ovary. The scales are the foliar parts attached to the sides of the ovary. The sepals are those foliar parts attached to the rim of the receptacle with their whole bases. And the petals are foliar parts with narrowing bases attached to the receptacle rim and inside the sepals. Similar occurrence of bracts, sepals and petals is seen in some extant flowers (Figure 5 — figure supplement 1). The enclosure of the seeds is fulfilled by the cup-form receptacle from the bottom and the structure here-called ‘ ovarian roof’ (preserved complete in Figures 4 c, 5 h and 7 e – g, but partially preserved in Figures 2 f, 5 c and 6 f, j, l) from the above. The intact ovarian roof is clearly seen in the side view (Figure 7 f – g) and in surface view (Figures 4 c and 5 h), in the latter case the seeds inside ovary are fully eclipsed by the ovarian roof. The ovarian roof is partially lost in Figure 6 l, in which a central portion of the ovarian roof broke off revealing one of the seeds inside the ovary. The ovarian roof is almost completely lost (but still with some of its residue) in Figure 6 f, and finally fully lost in Figures 2 f and 6 j – k, in which the seeds are plainly visible. This series of varying preservation status of ovarian roof suggests that the ovarian roof has fully enclosed the ovules in its original status, and the loss of ovarian roof and exposure of seeds are artifacts due to preservation. We cannot recognize the maturity of the ovules / seeds in Nanjinganthus, the length about 1 mm suggests that they are most likely to be seeds rather than ovules, therefore we prefer to use the term ‘ seed’ rather ‘ ovule’ throughout this paper. The number of seeds in Nanjinganthus is variable. According to our observation, it may be one (not shown), two (Figure 6 f – i), or even three (Figure 6 j – k).	en	Fu, Qiang, Diez, Jose Bienvenido, Pole, Mike, Ávila, Manuel García, Liu, Zhong-Jian, Chu, Hang, Hou, Yemao, Yin, Pengfei, Zhang, Guo-Qiang, Du, Kaihe, Wang, Xin (2018): An unexpected noncarpellate epigynous flower from the Jurassic of China. eLife (e 38827) 7: 1-24, DOI: 10.7554/eLife.38827.001, URL: https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.38827.001
