A new seed-bearing leaf from the Permian of China

Abstract

Seed-bearing leaves of the pterosperms are not common but a few Palaeozoic examples have been useful in understanding the diversity of these plants and their importance in the evolution of several Mesozoic seed plants. Eophyllogonium cathayense gen. et sp. nov. is instituted for recently discovered seed-bearing taeniopteroid leaves from the Permian Leping Formation of China. The seeds are abundant along the margin of the leaves lying in the grooves of the crenulate margin at the terminus of a reticulate network of veins. This new seed fern is compared and contrasted with other seed-bearing Permian age foliage of China. This seed fern may have produced as many as 160 seeds on an individual leaf thus illustrating its extensive potential for seed production. The micropyles are unique structures, appearing as inverted cones extending outward from the distal end of the seed. Many specific features of Eophyllogonium cathayense are discussed.