Aspects of Permian palaeobotany and palynology. V. On the nature of Asterophyllites Dumasii zeiller, its correlation with Calamites gigas brongniart and the problem concerning its sterile foliage

Abstract

On the basis of abundant material from the Waderner Gruppe (= Nahe Gruppe of Boy and Fichter, 1982; Autunian, Lower Permian) of Sobernheim (Nahe area, southwest Germany) it can be demonstrated that the presumed sterile foliage Asterophyllites dumasii Zeiller only represents the bract-bearing axes of the strobilus Calamostachys dumasii (Zeiller) Jongmans. Pith casts and outer surface of Calamites gigas Brongniart — the stem correlated with Calamostachys dumasii — are described and figured. The problem concerning the sterile foliage of Calamites gigas is discussed. It is here proposed that Annularia carinata (Gutbier) Schimper might represent the sterile foliage of Calamites gigas.