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New finds of Drepanophycus spinaeformis Göppert from the Lower Devonian of Scotland

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2011

R. J. Rayner
R. J. Rayner
Affiliation:
Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, University of the Witwatersrand, 1, Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa
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Abstract

Drepanophycus spinaeformis Göppert is a long ranging Devonian plant. Although reported from numerous localities, it is far from well understood. Observations on specimens from the Emsian Strathmore Group of Scotland have revealed variation in forms of branching including root-like axes on branches interpreted as rhizomes. The anatomy of the xylem is described from uncompressed pyrite permineralisations. Cuticle characteristics are also described and discussed. The systematic position of the plant is debated since, although the morphology of the leaves, leaf traces, roots and xylem indicate an affinity with the lycopods, there is some doubt as to whether sporangial position permits inclusion in this group.

Keywords

compressionscuticleexarch xylemfalcate leavesH branchlycopodpermineralisationsrootsstomata
Type
Research Article
Information
Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh , Volume 75 , Issue 4 , 1984 , pp. 353 - 363
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1984

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