Abstract:

The composition of fossil plants from the Bantou Formation of Yong’an, western Fujian Province, is analyzed and summarized. 52 species  (including 21 indeterminate and suspicious species) ascribed to 24 genus have been reported from the formation up to now. Among them, the conifers with spiral scales are dominant; cycads are mainly composed of Bennettitales; ferns are characterized by small and thick pinnules; Ginkgoales are very few, and angiosperms are absent. The fossil assemblage of the Bantou Florais comparatively consistent with that of the Wealden Flora in Europe, the ryoseki Flora in outer zone of Japan, as well as the Early Cretaceous floras from the South Floristic Region in China, such as Zhejiang and Shandong provinces. This indicates that the age of fossil beds of the Bantou Formation is early Early Cretaceous. Meanwhile, most of the species from the Bantou Formation are xerophilous and are mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical zones. They reflect a dry and hot climate character. However, there exists a certain amount of plants inhabited in moist and warm environments. Therefore, the climate of the Early Cretaceous in Yong’an Basin is generally arid and hot, with humid season, according to the paleobotanic data in the Bantou Formation.

Key words: Bantou Formation, fossil plants, paleoclimate, Early Cretaceous, Yong’an, Fujian, plants