Fraxinus L. (Oleaceae) fruits from the early Oligocene of Southwest China and their biogeographic implications

Two new fossil taxa of the ash tree, namely F. zlatkoi Meng-Xiao Wu et J.Huang sp. nov. and Fraxinus cf. honshuensis Tanai Onoe were reported from early Oligocene Lühe flora, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. The fruit traits used to assign proposed species genus Fraxinus. These a flattened symmetrical shape, single seed located in base veins parallel long axis each fruit. have low length width ratio an obovate seed. Our fossils represent oldest records latitude region Northern Hemisphere. provide evidence that Section Dipetalae Ornus had appeared China by Oligocene.