Cathaya vanderburghii, a misnomer for European Neogene fossil cones.

Some fossil seed cones from the European Neogene identified to the genus Cathaya and published as a fossil‐species, Cathaya vanderburghii, are shown not to belong to Cathaya. In this paper, fossil C. vanderburghii is transferred to Nothotsuga and recombined as Nothotsuga vanderburghii comb. nov. An amended diagnosis and detailed description of N. vanderburghii are given. The fossil cones are characterised by ovoid to conical shape, rhombic to suborbicular and auriculate scales, and slightly exserted ligulate‐spathulate bracts with dentate margin and acute apex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]