Pliocene Lythrum (loosestrife, Lythraceae) pollen from Portugal and the Neogene establishment of European lineages

The fossil record of Lythrum is scarce and every new find brings an extra piece the puzzle to obscure phytogeographic history this genus. pollen unique has potential be recognized in palynological assemblages. Therefore, few pre-Holocene records are all described from North America, Russia, Europe. European both most numerous geologically younger than those other parts Northern Hemisphere. Earliest late Miocene age parallel starting crown group radiation Eurasian clade Lythrum. Pliocene morphology comparable that extant species. Interestingly, expansion into Europe coincides with decline Decodon, appears replace Decodon Neogene