Summary: | <i>Liquidambar</i> L. is a significant constituent of the Cenozoic flora in the Northern Hemisphere. Currently, this genus exhibits a discontinuous distribution across Asia and North America, with the center of diversity being in southeastern Asia. This study presents the first occurrence of <i>Liquidambar</i> in the Oligocene of South China. Fossil sweetgum infructescences, associated pollen, and leaves have been found in the Nanning Basin, Guangxi. A new species, <i>Liquidambar nanningensis</i> sp. nov., is described based on the morphological and anatomical characteristics of three-dimensionally preserved infructescences. The <i>Liquidambar</i> fossils from the Nanning Basin show a combination of features indicative of the former genera of Altingiaceae, <i>Altingia, Liquidambar</i> s. str., and <i>Semiliquidambar</i>. The new occurrence expands the taxonomic and morphological diversity of the Paleogene <i>Liquidambar</i> species in South China.
|