Perfect Permian Fruits

Although an increasing number of angiosperms are found in the Permian, they remain sparse among the flourishing Permian fossil flora. Apparently, the earlier history of angiosperms in the Permian requires further evidence to consolidate. To elucidate the early history of this important plant group (angiosperms), which is closely related to the well-being of humans, here we document a new angiosperm, Baipingfructus wuii gen. et sp. nov., from the Upper Permian of Henan province, China. The fossils of Baipingfructus reveal the existence of seven seeds/ovules of various maturities within a single fruit. For the first time, the anatomies of the pericarp and seed coat of this Permian angiosperm is documented: the sclerenchymatic framework in the mesotesta demonstrates unusual stratification and intercellular spaces, whereas the pericarp has a skewed distribution of the sclerenchymatic framework. Anatomic details and the general configuration of Baipingfructus eliminate all alternative interpretations and corroborate the occurrence of angiosperms in the Late Permian (>245 Ma).