An early infructescence Hyrcantha decussata (comb. nov.) from the Yixian Formation in northeastern China.

The continuing study of early angiosperms from the Yixian Formation (≈125 Ma) of northeastern China has yielded a second early angiosperm genus. This report is a detailed account of this early flowering plant and recognizes earlier reports of similar fossils from Russia and China. Entire plants, including roots, stems, and branches terminating in fruits are presented and reconstructed. Evidence for a possible aquatic nature of this plant is presented. The relationship of Hyrcantha (‘Sinocarpus’) to the eudicots is discussed. The presence of this second early angiosperm genus, now known as a whole plant, is important in the discussion of its systematics and the ecology of the earliest angiosperms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]