Extended Data Fig. 4: Fossil cupules from the Early Cretaceous Tevshiin Govi Formation at the Tevshiin Govi locality in central Mongolia.

Light micrographs with line drawings showing the bract (green), stalked cupules (blue) and the axis on which they are borne (brown). a–f, Doylea mongolica (Umkomasia mongolica)¹². a, Seed cone with lateral seed-bearing units loosely and helically arranged. PP56614. b, Line drawing of a. c, e, Upper (adaxial) (c) and lower (abaxial) (e) views of a lateral seed-bearing unit. PP55648. d, Line drawing of c. f, Line drawing of e. g–j, Umkomasia corniculata¹². Upper (adaxial) (g) and lower (abaxial) (i) views of a lateral seed-bearing unit. PP56628. h, Line drawing of g. j, Line drawing of i. k–n, Umkomasia trilobata¹². Upper (adaxial) (k) and lower (abaxial) (m) views of a lateral seed-bearing unit with a dorsiventrally flattened axis that bears the cupules. PP56684. l, Line drawing of k. n, Line drawing of m.