Aspects of Permian Palaeobotany and Palynology. IX. Conifer-dominated Rotliegend floras from the Saar-Nahe basin (? Late carboniferous-early permian; SW-Germany) with special reference to the reproductive biology of early conifers

Abstract

A conifer-dominated Rotliegend flora (? Late Carboniferous-Early Permian) from a newly discovered locality near Oberhausen (Saar-Nahe area; SW-Germany) is described and figured. This flora is compared with fossil plant associations previously recorded from two other localities in the immediate vicinity. All three floras are dominated by conifers. The most common element is Walchia hypnoides (Brongniart) Brongniart. Apart from vegetative remains, reproductive structures have also been found. A new reconstruction of the ovuliferous cone of W. hypnoides is given. Because the species appears to differ in some fundamental respects from other Walchia's, W. hypnoides is transferred to the newly established natural genus Otovicia. tOtovicia hypnoides (Brongniart) nov. comb. is compared with other Late Palaeozoic conifers. The nomenclature of Ernestiodendron filiciforme (Sternberg) Florin is discussed. The diagnosis of the family Walchiaceae is emended to accommodate forms with more than a single ovule per ovuliferous dwarf-shoot. Special attention is given to the reproductive biology of the earliest conifers, which appear to have been zoidogamous and well adapted for wind pollination. Relevant other taxa known from the Oberhausen area are figured and briefly annotated. This selection includes several very rare elements. Some remarks on the environment, mode of deposition and palaeoecology of the plants under consideration are given.