About

Macginitiea is an extinct genus in the family Platanaceae ranging from the Late Paleocene to Late Eocene of North America, known from the Clarno Formation of central Oregon and other areas ranging from California to Texas and North to Alberta. The genus is strictly used to describe leaves, but has been found in close association with other fossil platanoid organs, which collectively have been used for whole plant reconstructions. Macginitiea and its associated organs are important as together they comprise one of the most well-documented and ubiquitous fossil plants, particularly in the Paleogene of North America.

Because paleobotanical material is often found in disarticulation, different species names are often used to refer to different organs (e.g. leaves, fruits, wood) even if those organs might have belonged to the same plant.

Where it grows

Macginitiea has been known to be the dominant element in many Eocene floras. The Clarno Plane is thought to have occupied open, riparian habitats, similar to that of modern Platanus. They also have been found several times in co-occurrence with Cercidiphyllum-like plants. The association with Cercidiphyllum suggests that the Clarno Plane was tolerant of full sunlight and poorly developed soils.