Eusphenopteris foliolata (STUR) VAN AMEROM, 1975

Cleal, Christopher J., Strullu-Derrien, Christine & Spencer, Alan R. T., 2024, Early Coal Swamp Vegetation From The Serpukhovian Lower Clackmannan Group Of Scotland, Fossil Imprint 80 (1), pp. 35-67 : 51

Eusphenopteris foliolata (STUR) VAN AMEROM, 1975

Text-fig. 10d, e

1875 Sphenopteris foliolata STUR , p. 22, pl. 5, figs 3‒6.

1923 Sphenopteris foliolata STUR ; Kidston, p. 113, pl. 23, figs 1‒4.

1975 Eusphenopteris foliolata (STUR) VAN AMEROM , p. 76, pl. 43, figs 4–6.

D e s c r i p t i o n. Bipinnate fragments. Alternate ultimate deltoid pinnae, widely spaced, each with 1‒3 or more pairs of pinnules. Pinnules petiolate, subrotund to subreniform, up to 10 mm long. Fine veins radiate from petiole, dichotomising 4‒6 times.

R e m a r k s. The most detailed taxonomic analysis of this species was by van Amerom (1975), who regarded its position within Eusphenopteris as being uncertain. If accepted, however, this will be the earliest known species of this genus.

O c c u r r e n c e s. Rare in Upper Limestone Formation, most notably from below the sandstone on which Ardross Castle was built, Fifeshire.

Figures

Text-fig. 10. a: Spathulopteris clavigera (KIDST.) J.WALTON; East Kilbride, Lanarkshire; Calderwood Limestone, Lower Limestone Formation; BGS Kidst.792. b, c: Archaeopteridium tschermakii (STUR) KIDST.; East Kilbride, Lanarkshire; Calderwood Limestone, Lower Limestone Formation; BGS Kidst.791 (b), BGS Kidst.792 (c). d, e: Eusphenopteris foliolata (STUR) VAN AMEROM; Ardross Castle, Fifeshire; sandstone below castle, Upper Limestone Formation; BGS Kidst.2838 (d), BGS Kidst.2841 (e). Scale bars = 10 mm.