Betulaceae leaves in Miocene deposits of the Bełchatów Lignite Mine (Central Poland)

This paper presents the results of a study of leaf macroremains of Betulaceae found in the Miocene deposits of the Bełchatów Lignite Mine. Besides revision of leaf taxa described in earlier publications on Bełchatów deposits, the examination of newly collected fossil leaves has been done. Isolation of leaf compressions and cuticular analysis were applied. The following taxa are reported: Alnus gaudinii (Heer) Knobloch et Kvaček, Alnus julianiformis (Sternberg) Kvaček et Holý, Alnus menzelii Raniecka-Bobrowska, Betula plioplatyptera Hummel, Betula subpubescens Goeppert emend. Worobiec, Betula sp. and Carpinus grandis Unger emend. Heer. Macromorphology, micromorphology, systematic position, stratigraphical range, palaeoecology and recent counterparts of the taxa described are discussed.