Endocarps of Menispermaceae from Le Quesnoy outcrop (Sparnacian facies, Lower Eocene, Paris Basin)

The fossils of endocarps of Menispermaceae from the “Le Quesnoy” outcrop (Sparnacian facies, Lower Eocene, Paris Basin) are described. The 31 specimens belong to 8 genera and 9 species: Atriaecarpum Chandler 1978, Tinomiscoidea Reid & Chandler 1933, Anamirta Colebr., Tinospora Miers (2 species), Eohypserpa Reid & Chandler 1933, Wardensheppeya Eyde 1970, Palaeococculus Chandler 1961 and Tinomiscium Miers. Their taxonomic affinities are discussed, and their relations to extant (South-East Asia) and extinct (London Clay, England; Dormaal, Belgium; Clarno formation, Oregon, USA) floras are examined. The affinities of these taxa provide further evidence of megathermal vegetation in the Early Eocene in Europe.