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The Fossil Flora of the Early Jurassic

A blossoming of a new plant world 200 million years ago

A catastrophic decline in vegetation during the Upper Triassic period was followed by a remarkable resurgence of flora in the Lower Jurassic era. However, the family of flowering plants, which is prevalent today, was clearly absent during this time. Even potential ancestors of these plants remain unidentified. During the Lower Jurassic period, conifers such as Podozamites, Swedenborgia, and Hirmeriella dominated, although they are now only found in limited areas in East Asia, represented by species like the golden larch (Pseudolarix), umbrella fir (Sciadopitys), Taiwania, and precursors of ginkgo (Ginkgoites). Cycads, including the two-seeded Nilssonia and Ctenis, as well as the multi-seeded Macrotaeniopteris, were also quite common. Interestingly, ferns that are now rare, such as Matonia (Phlebopteris, Laccopteris) and ancestors of Dipteris (Thaumatopteris, Chlathropteris, Dicytophyllum, Sagenopteris, Otozamites), played an important role during this period. Another notable fern, Thinnfeldia, which can be classified within the large Schizaeales group due to its distinct trophophyll and sporophyll fronds, was abundant. Precursors of Marattiales (Marattiopsis) were numerous. Horsetails were represented by Equisetites and Schizoneura, while strange clubmosses such as Bernettia, Bavarostrobus and Lepacyclotes also had a notable presence, with no clear descendants identified. Overall, the Lower Jurassic period boasted a diverse and rich habitat within a warm subtropical climate.

With over 800 photos and illustrations

Michael Wachtler

The Fossil Flora of the Early Jurassic

Dolomythos-Museum, ISSN 2974-7376, 2/2, p. 192, year 2024
Euro 69,00

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