Banksieaeidites facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banksieaeidites |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Proteales |
| Family: | Proteaceae |
| Subfamily: | Grevilleoideae |
| Tribe: | Banksieae |
| Genus: | †Banksieaeidites Cookson |
| Species | |
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Banksieaeidites is the name given to a type of fossil pollen from ancient plants. Scientists use this name for fossil pollen that looks like it came from the Proteaceae plant family, specifically a group called Banksieae. However, they can't tell if it came from a specific plant group like Banksia or Dryandra just by looking at the pollen.
What is Banksieaeidites?
Banksieaeidites is not a living plant you can find today. Instead, it's a way for scientists to classify very old pollen grains found in rocks. These tiny pollen grains are like fingerprints left behind by plants that lived millions of years ago.
This special name was first used in 1950 by two scientists, Isabel Cookson and Suzanne Duigan. They noticed that the pollen from two plant groups, Banksia and Dryandra, looked so much alike that it was impossible to tell them apart. So, they created Banksieaeidites to describe this type of fossil pollen.
How Scientists Classify Ancient Plants
Over time, scientists have learned more about these plants. Banksia and Dryandra are now grouped even closer together in a subgroup called Banksiinae. Another new subgroup, Musgraveinae, was also created for other related plants.
Scientists are still working to figure out the exact meaning of Banksieaeidites. For example, there's a similar name for fossil leaves, Banksieaephyllum. Some scientists think Banksieaephyllum still refers to the wider Banksieae group. Others believe it should only refer to the Banksiinae group.
Interestingly, the plant group Dryandra has now been moved and included within the Banksia group. If the same happens for Banksieaeidites, it might end up being considered just another name for Banksia in the future.
Species of Banksieaeidites
Some of the different types of Banksieaeidites pollen that scientists have found include:
- Banksieaeidites arcuatus
- Banksieaeidites elongatus
- Banksieaeidites minimus
