Ingrouipia

Ingrouipia is a genus of extinct flowering plants belonging to the family Icacinaceae. The genus is known from fossilized fruits found in the Late Cretaceous and Paleocene epochs, primarily from North America and Europe. These fossils provide valuable insights into the diversity of flowering plants during the early stages of angiosperm evolution.

The most notable species within this genus is Ingrouipia rydbergii. Fossilized fruits of Ingrouipia are typically small, drupaceous, and possess a distinctive exocarp texture. The exocarp is often described as rugose or tuberculate, a characteristic feature that helps in distinguishing Ingrouipia from other related genera. These fruits likely contained a single seed, a common trait among many Icacinaceae species.

The presence of Ingrouipia fossils across different continents suggests a widespread distribution of this plant group in the past. Their occurrence in sediments of both terrestrial and freshwater environments indicates adaptability to various ecological niches. The study of Ingrouipia contributes to our understanding of paleobotanical floras and the evolutionary relationships within the Icacinaceae family, which includes both extant and extinct members. While no living representatives of Ingrouipia exist today, its fossil record serves as a testament to the rich botanical history of the Earth.