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STRUCTURALLY PRESERVED PLANTS FROM SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY: STAUROPTERIS BISERIATA SP. NOV.
Author(s) -
Ochan Michael A.,
Taylor Thomas N.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1982.tb13398.x
Subject(s) - pennsylvanian , fern , devonian , biology , genus , branching (polymer chemistry) , paleontology , botany , materials science , structural basin , composite material
Several axes of the coenopterid fern Stauropteris are described from permineralized peat associated with Lower‐Middle Pennsylvanian coal deposits of southeastern Kentucky. This represents the first documented report of the genus in North America. The specimens are regarded as representatives of a new species— S. biseriata —based on the distinctive branching habit. Three branch orders are described, and in each case, branches are singular and distichous, arranged in a two‐ranked pattern. This is in contrast to other species of Stauropteris in which the branches are paired and form a quadriseriate pattern. A pair of vascularized aphlebiae subtend each branch through all branching orders. Aphlebiae associated with first‐ and second‐order branches are three‐parted at the point of insertion; those that subtend third‐order branches are singular. Stauropteris and a number of Devonian fern‐like plants are compared on the basis of certain morphological similarities.