XVI International Botanical Congess

The late Paleocene to early Eocene was the acme of Cenozoic warmth, but was also a period of major terrestrial biotic modernization. The late Paleocene Cambalong Ck, and early Eocene Mt Hotham macrofloras indicate high diversity mesothermal humid rainforests rich in Lauraceae (e.g. Cryptocarya), with major contributions from Austral mesothermal rainforest conifers (e.g. Acmopyle, Agathis, Dacrycarpus, and Libocedrus), and other dicots such as Cunoniaceae, Elaeocarpaceae, Eucryphia, Gymnostoma, Myrtaceae, and rare Nothofagus. Proteaceae are present as large-leaved forms with affinities to modern NE Queensland meso-megathermal rainforest taxa, and sclerophyllous taxa (aff. Banksia). Limited data suggests deciduous taxa (e.g. Nothofagus, ?Lauraceae) were present, reflecting the seasonal light regime at high southern latitudes.