Paleoflora of the Messel Formation

Further information: Paleofauna of the Messel Formation

This is an overview of the paleoflora of the Eocene Messel Formation as explored by the Messel Pit excavations in Germany. A former quarry and now UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Messel Formation preserves what lived in and around a meromictic lake surrounded by a paratropical rainforest during the latest early to earliest middle Eocene, approximately 47 Ma.^[1] A complete list of plant taxa was published in 2024.^[2]

Several major monographs on the paleoflora have been published since the early 1900s, with Hermann Engelhardt [de] producing the first leaf monograph in 1922,^[3] followed by Heidemarie Thiele-Pfeiffer in 1988^[4][5] who provided the first in-depth palynological revision and expansion. Margaret Collinson, Steven Manchester, and Volker Wilde collaborated to study and redescribe the flowers, fruits, seeds, and other reproductive organs of the formation, with the monograph being published in 2011.^[6] Most recently, Johannes Bouchal, Christian Geier, Friđgeir Grímsson and colleagues have completed monographic studies of the palynomorphs, combining traditional light microscopy with scanning electron microscopy to achieve greater phylogenetic precision.^[7]

Dinoflagellates

Only a single dinoflagellate taxon has been described formally from the Messel formation. Based on the predominance in layers where heavy nearshore runoff or slippage is present, its suggested Messelodinium thielepfeifferae was likely an inhabitant of warm nearshore waters in the adult stage or wind and wave action resulted in large accumulation of the cysts. M. thielepfeifferae populations are most prevalent in the older layers of the lake, when it was suggested to be holomictic and become absent in the youngest layers when green algae become dominant with the lake shifting to meromictic conditions and the water chemistry changed.^[8]

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Peridiniaceae	†Messelodinium	†Messelodinium thielepfeifferae[8]	Lenz et al., 2007	A peridinialean dinoflagellate.

Charophyta

Olaf Lenz et al (2011) briefly noted the presence of the Zygnemataceae fossil genus Ovoidites, but only gave general population densities with no enumeration on species information.^[9]

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Zygnemataceae	†Ovoidites	Undescribed[9]		A minor Charophyte green algae component of the Messel Formation.

Chlorophyta

Several chlorophyte green algae are identified from the Messel Formation, with the greatest concentrations being found in the youngest layers. In the older layers Tetraedron minimum is a distinct component of the yearly varves in the lake, with large blooms occurring to form the lighter summer portions of the varve couplets.^[9] In the younger layers, Botryococcus species become the most prolific, having taken over as a major phytoplankton taxon from T. minimum and the dinoflagellate Messelodinium thielepfeifferae.^[10][8]

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Botryococcaceae	Botryococcus	Botryococcus braunii[10]	Kützing	A chlorophyte green algae.
Peridiniaceae	Tetraedron	Tetraedron minimum[9]	(A. Braun) Hansgirg	A chlorophyte green algae The main component in the spring/summer layers of the Messel varves.

Pteridophytes

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Aspleniaceae	Asplenium	Asplenium sp.[3]		Fern pinnuels attributed to Asplenium Not identified to species

Conifers

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Doliostrobaceae	†Doliostrobus	†Doliostrobus taxiformis[6]	(Sternberg) Z. Kvaček emend. Kunzmann	A conifer of possible cupressaceous affinities
Podocarpaceae	†Podozamites	†Podozamites eocaenica[3]	Engelhardt	Possible podocarpaceous foliage First suggested as a cyacad species
Taxaceae	Cephalotaxus	†Cephalotaxus messelensis[11]	Wilde	A plum yew species

Basal angiosperms

Nymphaeales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Nymphaeaceae	†Nuphaea	†Nuphaea engelhardtii[12]	Gee & Taylor, 2018	A transitional nymphaealean water lily genus
Incertae sedis	Incertae sedis	Incertae sedis[6]		Seeds of possible nymphaealean affinity Not identified to species

Magnoliids

Laurales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Lauraceae	†Laurocarpum	†Laurocarpum sp.[6]		Seeds of lauraceous affinity 3 unnamed morphospecies
	†Laurophyllum	†Laurophyllum lanigeroides[13]	(Engelhardt) Wilde	A lauraceous leaf morphotaxon host to two forms of asphondyliine tribe midge galls
	incertae sedis	incertae sedis[6]		Seeds of lauraceous affinity not identified to genus/species

Magnoliales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Magnoliaceae	Magnolia	Magnolia sp.[6]		A Magnolia species fruit Not identified to species
		Magnolia sp.[6]		Magnolia species seeds not identified to species
Myristicaceae	†Myristicacarpum	Myristicacarpum sp.[6]		A Myristicacarpum species seed Not identified to species

Monocots

Alismatales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Araceae	†Araciphyllites	†Araciphyllites tertiarius[14]	(Engelhardt) Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005	An araceous leaf
		†Araciphyllites schaarschmidtii[14]	Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005	An araceous leaf
	†Caladiosoma	†Caladiosoma messelense[14]	Wilde, Z. Kvaček & Bogner, 2005	An araceous leaf

Arecales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Arecaceae	Arecocaryon	Arecocaryon messelensis[6][15]	(Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde) Doweld	Palm species fruits First described as Friedemannia messelensis, a genus jr homonym Moved to Arecocaryon messelensis in 2021 The most abundant fruit at Messel known from a full flower to mature fruit ontogenetic series
	†Calamopsis	Cf. †Calamopsis bredana[3]		A Palm leaf Possibly affiliated with C. bredana
	Incertae sedis	incertae sedis[6]		Pinnate palm leaves of possible lepidocaryoid tribal affinity. Not identified to species
		incertae sedis[6]		Palmate palm leaves of uncertain tribal affinity. Not identified to species

Liliales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Smilacaceae	Smilax	†Smilax grandifolia[3]	Unger	A greenbrier
		†Smilax lingulata[3]	Heer	A greenbrier
		†Smilax ovata[3]	Wess.	A greenbrier
		†Smilax reticulata[3]	Heer	A greenbrier

Pandanales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Cyclanthaceae	Cyclanthus	Cyclanthus messelensis[16][6]	S. Y. Smith, Collinson & Rudall, 2008	A Cyclanthus species Described from fruits and seeds

Poales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Cyperaceae	†Volkeria	†Volkeria messelensis[17][6]	Smith et al., 2009	A mapanioid sedge
Poaceae	Phragmites	†Phragmites oeningensis[3]	A.Braun ex Heer	A grass foliage

Basal eudicots

Proteales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Sabiaceae	Meliosma	Meliosma sp.[6]		A Meliosma species seed Not identified to species

Ranunculales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Menispermaceae	Cocculus	†Cocculus lottii[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012	A Cocculus species endocarp
	Diploclisia	†Diploclisia rugulosa[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012	A Diploclisia species seed
	†Karinschmidtia	†Karinschmidtia rotulae[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012	A menispermaceous endocarp
	†Martinmuellera	†Martinmuellera tuberculata[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012	A menispermaceous genus seed
	†Palaeosinomenium	†Palaeosinomenium ornamentum[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012	A menispermaceous endocarp
		†Palaeosinomenium venablesii[6]	Chandler, 1961	A menispermaceous endocarp First described from the English Eocene (1961)
		†Palaeosinomenium sp.[6]		A menispermaceous endocarp Not identified to species
	Parabaena	†Cf. Parabaena europaea[6]		A menispermaceous endocarp Fossil similar to P. europaea Not identified to species
	?Pericampylus	?Pericampylus sp.[6]		A tentative Pericampylus species endocarp. not described to species
	Stephania	†Stephania hootae[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012	A Stephania species seed
	†Tinomiscoidea	†Tinomiscoidea jacquesii[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012	A menispermaceous endocarp
	†Wardensheppeya	†Wardensheppeya sp.[6]		A menispermaceous endocarp Not identified to species
	incertae sedis	incertae sedis[6]		menispermaceous endocarp of Tinosporeae subfamily affinity 3 morphotypes not identified to genus/species

Superasterids

Campanulids

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Torricelliaceae	Toricellia	†Toricellia bonesii[6]	(Manchester) Manchester	A Toricellia species. Endocarp with germination valve

Cornales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Alangiaceae	Alangium	Alangium sp.[6]		An Alangium species likely belonging to Alangium sect. Marlea. Not identified to species Identified from single endocarp, others likely in Messel collections
Cornaceae	Cornus	†Cornus orbifera[18]	Heer	A dogwood species
Nyssaceae	Cf. †Beckettia	incertae sedis[6]		A germination valve similar to Beckettia Not identified to species
	†Eomastixia	Cf. Eomastixia rugosa [6]		An endocarp similar to Eomastixia rugosa Not identified to species
	?Mastixia	incertae sedis[6]		A possible Mastixia endocarp and mesocarp Possibly included in a coprolite Not identified to species
	†Mastixiopsis	†Mastixiopsis nyssoides[6]	Kirchheimer	A nyssaceous endocarp
	Nyssa	†Nyssa disseminata[6]	(R. Ludw.) Kirchheimer	A nyssaceous endocarp with germination valve
		†Nyssa europaea[18]	Unger	A nyssaceous species
		†Nyssa ornithobroma[18]	Unger	A nyssaceous species

Ericales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Pentaphylacaceae	Cleyera	incertae sedis[6]		A Cleyera species. Not identified to species
Symplocaceae	Symplocos	†Symplocos minutula[19]	(Sternberg) Kirchheimer	A Symplocos species fruit.
Theaceae	†Camelliacarpoidea	†Camelliacarpoidea messelensis[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	A theaceous species. A dry fruit with persistent calyx

Lamiids

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Apocynaceae	†Cypselites	incertae sedis[6]		A Cypselites species Elongated seed with wind dispersal hairs. Not identified to species, 11 specimens known
Bignoniaceae	†Darmstadtia	Darmstadtia biseriata[6]		A catalpa species. Pods with dry seeds lacking wind dispersal wings Described from2 specimens
Icacinaceae	†Palaeohosiea	†Palaeohosiea bilinica[6]	(Ettingshausen) Kvaček & Bůžek	A phytocrenaceous species. known from endocarps
		incertae sedis[6]		A Palaeohosiea endocarp. Not identified to species
	Cleyera	incertae sedis[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	A Cleyera species. Not identified to species
	†Icacinicarya	Icacinicarya densipunctata[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	An icacinaceous species.
		Icacinicarya tiffneyi[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	An icacinaceous species. endocarp with a preserved layer of soft tissue
		incertae sedis[6]		An Icacinicarya endocarp. Not identified to species
	Cf. Natsiatum	incertae sedis[6]		An endocarp similar to Natsiatum. Not identified to species
	†Palaeophytocrene	incertae sedis[6]		A Palaeophytocrene endocarp. Not identified to species
	Phytocrene	†Phytocrene punctilinearis[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	A Phytocrene species.
	Pyrenacantha	"Species 1"[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	An unnamed Pyrenacantha species. endocarp with a preserved layer of soft tissue
		"Species 2"[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	An unnamed Pyrenacantha species. endocarp without a preserved layer of soft tissue
	Cf. Pyrenacantha	incertae sedis[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	An endocarp similar to Pyrenacantha. not identified to species

Superrosids

Fabids

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Cannabaceae	Aphananthe	Cf. †Aphananthe tenuicostata[6]		A hemp relative fruit. Similar to Aphananthe tenuicostata
Celastraceae	Celastrus	†Celastrus elaenus[20]	Unger	A Celastrus species.
		†Celastrus friedrichi[20]	Wonnacott	A Celastrus species.
		†Celastrus illicinoides[20]	Engelhardt	A Celastrus species.
		†Celastrus oxyphyllus[20]	Unger	A Celastrus species.
	Elaeodendron	†Elaeodendron degener[20]	(Unger) Ettingshausen	An Elaeodendron species.
		†Elaeodendron dryadum[20]	Ettingshausen	An Elaeodendron species. Similar to the living E. orientale
		†Elaeodendron obovatifolium[20]	Engelhardt	An Elaeodendron species.
	Euonymus	†Euonymus heerii[20]	Ettingshausen	A Euonymus species.
Elaeocarpaceae	Sloanea	†Sloanea messelensis[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	A Sloanea species fruit.
Euphorbiaceae	†Euphorbiotheca	†Euphorbiotheca gothii[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	Trilocular euphorb fruits.
Fabaceae	†Mimosites	†Mimosites spiegeli[6]	Engelhardt	A caesalpinioid legume species pod.
	†Leguminocarpon	†Leguminocarpon herendeenii[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	A legume species pod.
		†Leguminocarpon sp.[6]		Legume species pods. 2 mophotypes noted not identified to species
Juglandaceae	†Cruciptera	†Cruciptera schaarschmidtii[6]	Manchester, Collinson, & Goth	A juglandaceous winged fruit.
	†Hooleya	†Hooleya sp.[6]		A juglandaceous fruiting raceme. Not identified to species.
	†Palaeocarya	†Palaeocarya sp.[6]		A juglandaceous fruit. Not identified to species.
Rhamnaceae	Berchemia	†Berchemia mellerae[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	A Berchemia buckthorn species fruit.
Rosaceae	Prunus	†Prunus pereger[21]	Unger	A cherry relative
Ulmaceae	†Cedrelospermum	†Cedrelospermum leptospermum[6]	(Ettingshausen) Manchester emend. Wilde & Manchester	An ulmaceous elm relative fruit.

Malvids

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Anacardiaceae	Anacardium	†Anacardium germanicum[6]	Manchester, Wilde & Collinson	A cashew species. The first European record of the genus Known from at least 16 fruits and hypocarps
	Lannea	†Lannea hessenensis[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	A Lannea species. Fruits are unilocular, separating them from Lannea europaea 23 specimens in the type series
	Mangifera	†Mangifera tertiaria[22]	Ettingshausen	A mango relative.
	†Pentoperculum	†Pentoperculum minimus[6]	(Reid & Chandler) Manchester	A spondiadeous cashew relative. Rounded-pentangular fruits in transverse cross-section Identified from 7 fossils
	Pleiogynium	†Pleiogynium mitchellii[6]	(Reid & Chandler) Manchester	A Pleiogynium species. A larger spondiadeous fruit with 10 germination valves Described from the holotype only
	Rhus	†Rhus meriani[22]	Heer	A sumac relative.
		†Rhus saportana[22]	Pilar	A sumac relative.
		†Rhus ternata[22]	Engelhardt	A sumac relative.
	Tapiscia	†Tapiscia pusilla[6]	(Reid & Chandler) Mai	A Tapiscia species fruit. Some fruits possibly preserved in coprolites
Burseraceae	†Bursericarpum	†Bursericarpum species[6]		A Bursericarpum species endocarp. Not identified to species
	Canarium	Canarium sp.[6]		A Canarium species endocarp. Not identified to species
Malvaceae	†Byttneriopsis	†Byttneriopsis daphnogenes[23]	(Ettingshausen) Kvaček & Wilde	A malvaceous leaf morphotaxon
		†Byttneriopsis spiegelii[23]	(Ettingshausen) Kvaček & Wilde	A malvaceous leaf morphotaxon
		†Byttneriopsis steuerii[23]	Kvaček & Wilde	A malvaceous leaf morphotaxon
Rutaceae	†Rutaspermum	†Rutaspermum chandleri[6]	Collinson & Gregor	A citrus family seed.
	Toddalia	†Toddalia ovata[24]	Wilde	A Toddalia leaf morphospecies Host to Phytomyzites schaarschmidti trace fossils - leaf mines attributed to agromyzid flies
	Cf. Toddalia	incertae sedis[6]		A Seed similar to Toddalia. Not identified to genus/species
Sapindaceae	Dodonaea	†Dodonaea salicites[25]	Ettingshausen	A Dodonaea species
	Sapindus	†Sapindus cupanioides[25]	Ettingshausen	A Sapindus species
		†Sapindus dubius[25]	Unger	A Sapindus species
		†Sapindus firmifolius[25]	Engelhardt	A Sapindus species
		†Sapindus heliconius[25]	Unger	A Sapindus species
	Thouinia	†Thouinia occidentalis[25]	Engelhardt	A Thouinia species
Simaroubaceae	Ailanthus	†Ailanthus confucii[6]	Unger	An Ailanthus seed.

Myrtales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Lythraceae	Cf. Decodon	Incertae sedis[6]		Seeds of similar morphology to Decodon[6] Not identified to species

Saxifragales

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Altingiaceae	†Steinhauera	†Steinhauera subglobosa[6]	Presl emend Mai, 1968	A sweet gum species. Raceme with at least 7 infructecences
Hamamelidaceae	Mytilaria	†Mytilaria boglei[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	A Mytilaria species infructecence.
	Corylopsis	†Corylopsis maii[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012	A winter hazel species infructecence.
		†Corylopsis waltheri[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012	Isolated winter hazel species seeds.

Vitaceae

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Vitaceae	Ampelopsis	Ampelopsis sp.[6]		A peppervine species seed. not identified to species
	Cayratia	†Cayratia jungii[6]	(Gregor) Chen & Manchester	A Cayratia species seed.
	†Crassivitisemen	†Crassivitisemen wildei[6]	(Chen & Manchester) Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde	Vitaceous species fruits and seeds. Fruits with soft tissue preservation
	†Palaeovitis	†Palaeovitis sp.[6]		A vitaceous species seed. not identified to species
	Parthenocissus	†Parthenocissus britannica[6]	(Heer) Chandler, 1957	Virginia creeper species fruits and seeds.
	Vitis	†Vitis messelensis[6]	Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde, 2012	Grape species fruits and seeds. Some specimens preserved in coprolites

Incertae sedis

Carpolitus is a plant morphogenus circumscribed for fossil fruits and seeds that are distinct but not identifiable to defined taxa. Collinson, Manchester, & Wilde (2012) described but did not name 63 distinct Carpolithus morphotypes from the Messel Formation.

Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
†Carpolithus	†Carpolithus anacardiaceus[22]	Engelhardt	Doubtfully referred to Anacardiaceae per Edwards & Wonnacott (1935)
	†Carpolithus callosaeoides[6]	(Engelhardt)	A Carpolithus species with thick woody tissues
	†Carpolithus drupaceus[21]	Engelhardt	A fruit of possible rosaceous affinity
	†Carpolithus euphoriaeoides[25]	Engelhardt	A Carpolithus species fruit Suggested to be similar to Euphoria
	†Carpolithus sapindiformis[25]	Engelhardt	A Carpolithus species fruit Suggested to possibly be affiliated to Sapindus leaves
	†Carpolithus sapindoides[25]	Engelhardt	A Carpolithus species fruit Suggested to possibly be comparable to Sapindus fruits
	Species 1–62[6]		various distinct morphotypes
†Lagokarpos	incertae sedis[26]		A Lagokarpos species winged fruit Not identified to species
†Saportaspermum	†Saportaspermum kovacsiae[23][6]		A Saportaspermum species winged seed Suggested to have malvaceous affinity
†Spirellea	†incertae sedis[6]		A Spirellea species seed Not identified to species

Pollen and spores

The first foray into Messel palynology was produced by H. D. Pflug (1952)^[27] with follow-up papers in 1957^[28] and coauthored with P. Thomas in 1953.^[29] The pollen and spore record was revised and expanded by Heidemarie Thiele-Pfeiffer (1988)^[5] who provided the largest in depth palynological work focusing exclusively on the Messel Formation.

Pteridophyte spores

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Osmundaceae	†Baculatisporites	†Baculatisporites primarius[4]	(Wolff) Thomson & Pflug	A royal fern palynospecies
Polypodiaceae	†Polypodiaceoisporites	†Polypodiaceoisporites gracillimus[4]	Nagy	Fern spores polypodiaceous affinity
		†Polypodiaceoisporites lusaticus[4]	Krutzsch	Fern spores polypodiaceous affinity
Schizaeaceae	†Cicatricosisporites	†Cicatricosisporites dorogensis[4]	Potonié & Gelletich	A schizaeaceous fern palynospecies
		†Cicatricosisporites paradorogensis[4]	Krutzsch	A schizaeaceous fern palynospecies
	†Microfoveolatosporis	†Microfoveolatosporis granuloides[4]	(Krutzsch) Krutzsch	A schizaeaceous fern palynospecies
?Schizaeaceae	†Ischyosporites	†Ischyosporites tertiarius[4]	Krutzsch	A palynospecies of possible schizaeaceous fern affinity
incertae sedis	†Laevigatosporites	†Laevigatosporites discordatus[4]	Pflug	A palynospecies of possible Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity
		†Laevigatosporites haardtii[4]	(Potonié & Venitz) Thomson & Pflug	A palynospecies of possible Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity
	†Leiotriletes	†Leiotriletes kopeckii[4][9]	Kedves	Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity
		†Leiotriletes maxoides[4][9]	Krutzsch	Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity
		†Leiotriletes microadriennis[4][9]	Krutzsch	Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity
		†Leiotriletes triangulus[4][9]	Murriger & Pflug	Fern spores of Schizaeaceae or Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity
		†Leiotriletes sp.[4][9]		Fern spores of Schizaeaceae and Polypodiaceae S. L. affinity A palynomorph component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation.

Lycophyte spores

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Selaginellaceae	†Echinatisporis	†Echinatisporis hungaricus[4]	Kedves	A spikemoss palynospecies

Conifer pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Cupressaceae	†Cupressacites	†Cupressacites insulipapillatus[4]	(Trevisan) Krutzsch	A taxodioid cypress family palynospecies
	†Inaperturopollenites	†Inaperturopollenites concedipites[4]	(Wodehouse) Krutzsch	A taxodioid cypress family palynospecies
		†Inaperturopollenites verrupapillatus[4]	Trevisan	A taxodioid cypress family palynospecies
Pinaceae	†Pityosporites	†Pityosporites labdacus[4][9]	(Potonié) Thomson & Pflug	A pine family palynomorph. A component in zone 1–3 of the Messel Formation.
		†Pityosporites microalatus[4]	(Potonié) Thomson Pflug	A pine family palynomorph.

Basal angiosperm pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Nymphaeaceae	†Monocolpopollenites	†Monocolpopollenites crassiexinus[4]	Thiele-Pfeiffer	A waterlily family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Nymphaea

Chloranthalean pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Chloranthaceae	†Emmapollis	†Emmapollis pseudoemmaensis[4]	Thiele-Pfeiffer	A chloranthaceous palynomorph Possibly affiliated with Ascarina or Ascarinopsis

Magnoliid pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Magnoliaceae	†Magnolipollis	†Magnolipollis magnolioides[4]	Krutzsch	A magnolia family palynospecies Possible affiliated with Magnolia or Michelia

Monocot pollens

Alismatalean pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Hydrocharitaceae	†Punctilongisulcites	†Punctilongisulcites microechinatus[4][9]	Thiele-Pfeiffer	A frogbit palynomorph A component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation. Possibly affiliated with Blyxa, Ottelia, or Stratiotes

Arecalean pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Arecaceae	†Monocolpopollenites	†Monocolpopollenites tranquillus[4]	(Potonié) Thomson & Pflug	A palm family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Phoenix

Commelinid pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Cyperaceae	†Cyperaceaepollis	†Cyperaceaepollis germanicus[4]	Krutzsch	A sedge family palynospecies Affiliated with Carex or possibly Lepironia
		Unnamed[4]	Krutzsch	A sedge family palynomorph of uncertain generic affinity
Restionaceae	†Milfordia	†Milfordia incerta	(Thomson & Pflug) Krutzsch	A restiad family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Hypolaena, Leptocarpus, Lepyrodia, or Restio
		†Milfordia minima	Krutzsch	A restiad family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Lyginia

Superasterid pollens

Campanulid pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Aquifoliaceae	†Ilexpollenites	†Ilexpollenites iliacus[4]	(Potonié) Thiergart	A holly family pollen Affiliated with Ilex
		†Ilexpollenites margaritatus[4]	(Potonié) Thiergart	A holly family pollen Possibly affiliated Ilex mucronata
		†Ilexpollenites propinquus[4]	(Potonié) Potonié	A holly family pollen Possibly affiliated Ilex mucronata
Araliaceae	†Araliaceoipollenites	†Araliaceoipollenites euphori[4]	(Potonié) Potonié	An araliaceous pollen
		†Araliaceoipollenites reticuloides[4]	Thiele-Pfeiffer	An araliaceous pollen

Cornalean pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Nyssaceae	†Nyssapollenites	†Nyssapollenites kruschii[4]	Potonié	A nyssaceous palynospecies. Two described subspecies N. k. subsp. accessorius & N. k. subsp. analepticus

Ericalean pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Ericaceae	†Ericipites	†Ericipites callidus[9]	(Potonié) Krutzsch	A heather/heath family palynomorph Of uncertain generic affiliation
		†Ericipites ericius[9]	(Potonié) Potonié	A heather/heath family palynomorph Of uncertain generic affiliation
Symplocaceae	†Porocolpopollenites	†Porocolpopollenites rarobaculatus[4]	Thiele-Pfeiffer	A sweetleaf family palynospecies. Affiliated with Symplocos

Lamiid pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Icacinaceae	†Compositoipollenites	†Compositoipollenites rhizophorus[4]	(Potonié) Potonié	A moonseed palynomorph affiliated with Iodes.

Santalalean pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Olacaceae	†Anacolosidites	†Anacolosidites efflatus[4]	(Potonié) Erdtman	An anacoloseous palynospecies
	†Olaxipollis	Cf. †Olaxipollis matthesi[4]		An olacaceous palynomorph Possibly affiliated with O. matthesi

Superrosid pollens

Fabid pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Betulaceae	†Polyvestibulopollenites	†Polyvestibulopollenites verus[4]	(Potonié) Thomson & Pflug	A betulaceous palynospecies Affiliated with Alnus
Cannabaceae	†Celtipollenites	†Celtipollenites intrastructurus[4]	(Krutzsch & Vanhoorne) Thiele-Pfeiffer	A hemp family palynospecies Affiliated with Celtis
		†Celtipollenites laevigatus[4]	Thiele-Pfeiffer	A hemp family palynospecies Affiliated with Celtis
Juglandaceae	†Caryapollenites	†Caryapollenites circulus[4]	(Pflug) Krutzsch	A Walnut family palynospecies Affiliated with Carya
		Cf. †Caryapollenites triangulus[4]		A Walnut family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Caryapollenites triangulus
	†Labraferoidaepollenites	†Labraferoidaepollenites menatensis[4][9]	Kedves	A Walnut family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Engelhardia
	†Momipites	†Momipites punctatus[4]	(Potonié) Nagy	A Walnut family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Engelhardtia, Oreomunnea, or Aifaroa
		†Momipites quietus[4]	(Potonié) Nichols	A Walnut family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Engelhardtia
	†Nudopollis	†Nudopollis terminalis[4]	(Thomson & Pflug) Pflug	A Walnut family palynospecies One named subspecies N. terminalis subsp hastaformis
	†Platycaryapollenites	†Platycaryapollenites miocaenicus[4]	Nagy	A Walnut family palynospecies Affiliated with Platycarya
		†Platycaryapollenites platycaryoides[4]	(Roche) Kedves	A Walnut family palynospecies Affiliated with Platycarya
		†Platycaryapollenites semicyclus[4]	(Krutzsch & Vanhoorne) Thiele-Pfeiffer	A Walnut family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Platycarya
		†Platycaryapollenites sp.[9]		A Walnut family palynospecies Affiliated with Platycarya A component in zone 1–3 of the Messel Formation.
	†Plicatopollis	†Plicatopollis hungaricus[4]	Kedves	A Walnut family palynospecies
		†Plicatopollis plicatus[4]	(Potonié) Krutzsch	A Walnut family palynospecies
		†Plicatopollis pseudoexcelsus[4]	Krutzsch	A Walnut family palynospecies One named subspecies P. p. subsp. microturgidus Two unnamed subspecies
		†Plicatopollis Sp.[4]		A Walnut family palynospecies Not identified to species
	†Pterocaryapollenites	†Pterocaryapollenites stellatus[4]	(Potonié) Thiergart	A Walnut family palynospecies Affiliated with Pterocarya
?Juglandaceae	†Plicatopollis	†Plicatopollis lunatus[4]	Kedves	A palynospecies of possible juglandaceous affinity
Ulmaceae	†Polyporopollenites	†Polyporopollenites eoulmoides[4]	Krutzsch & Vanhoorne	An elm family palynospecies
		†Polyporopollenites undulosus[4]	(Wolf) Thomson & Pflug	An elm family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Ulmus or Zelkova
		†Polyporopollenites verrucatus[4]	(Wolf) Thomson & Pflug	An elm family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Hemiptelea

Malvid pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Malvaceae	†Bombacacidites	†Bombacacidites tilioides[4]	Krutzsch	A bombacoid palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Bombax
		†Bombacacidites Sp.1[4]		A bombacoid palynomorph Described but not formally named Affiliated with Bombax
		†Bombacacidites Sp.2[4]		A bombacoid palynomorph Described but not formally named Affiliated with Bombax
	†Intratriporopollenites	†Intratriporopollenites minimus[4]	Mai	A tilioid palynospecies Of uncertain generic affinity
		Cf. †Intratriporopollenites maxoides[4]		A tilioid palynomorph Possibly affiliated with I. maxoides
Thymelaeaceae	†Pseudospinaepollis	†Pseudospinaepollis pseudospinosus[4]	Krutzsch	A thymelaeaceous palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Stellera or Wikstroemia

Myrtalean pollens

Family	Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
Lythraceae	†Lythraceaepollenites	†Lythraceaepollenites minimus[4]	Thiele-Pfeiffer	A myrtle family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Rotala or Ammannia
		†Lythraceaepollenites sp.[4]		A myrtle family palynospecies Possibly affiliated with Rotala, Ammannia, or Woodfordia Described but not named

Incertae sedis pollens

Genus	Species	Authority	Notes	Image
†Brosipollis	†Brosipollis striatobrosus[4]	(Krutzsch) Krutzsch	Possible affinity is to Gomphandra (Icacinaceae) or Burseraceae
†Compositoipollenites	†Compositoipollenites minimus[4]	(Krutzsch & Vanhoorne)	A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
†Labrapollis	†Labrapollis labraferus[4]	(Potonié) Krutzsch	A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
†Multiporopollenites	†Multiporopollenites microreticulatus[4]	Krutzsch	A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
	†Multiporopollenites Sp.1[4]		A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
	†Multiporopollenites Sp.2[4]		A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
†Pentapollenites	†Pentapollenites pentangulus[4]	(Pflug) Krutzsch	A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation. Two known subspecies P. p. subsp foveostriatus & P. p. subsp pentangulus
	†Pentapollenites punctoides[4]	Krutzsch	A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
	†Pentapollenites Sp.1[4]		A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
	†Pentapollenites Sp.2[4]		A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
†Pollenites	†Pollenites setarius[4]	Potonié	A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
†Pompeckjoidaepollenites	†Pompeckjoidaepollenites subhercynicus[4]	(Krutzsch) Krutzsch	A palynomorph species of uncertain affiliation.
†Tricolporopollenites	†Tricolporopollenites messelensis[9]	Thiele-Pfeiffer	A palynomorph with suggested affinity to Oleaceae or Rutaceae A component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation.
	†Tricolporopollenites solé de portai[9]	Thiele-Pfeiffer	A palynomorph with suggested affinity to Rosaceae A component in zone 1 of the Messel Formation.