The first record of fossil Metasequoia (Cupressaceae) from continental Europe

Investigations of previously undescribed material from the early Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous) Walbeck flora in Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany provide the first evidence for the occurrence of fossil Metasequoia in continental Europe. The material consists of a few fragmentarily preserved seed cones. This record confirms a long-held assumption that the genus was present in mid-latitude areas in central Europe as was proved before in similar regions in North America and Asia. Its disappearance from central European palaeovegetation during the early Palaeogene might have been caused by palaeoclimatic conditions, while the reasons for the putative absence in the (Atlantic-) Boreal province of Central Europe during the Neogene are still unknown.

Research Highlights
► Metasequoia seed cone fragments from the early Maastrichtian Walbeck flora, Germany.
► First evidence for the occurrence of fossil Metasequoia in continental Europe.
► This record confirms a long-held palaeophytochorological assumption.
► The genus probably disappeared from this area due to global warming.
► Reasons for the putative absence in the central European Neogene are still unknown.