Fertile cordaitalean leafy branch with in situ pollen from the volcanic Whetstone Horizon (Radnice Member, early Moscovian, Plzeň Basin, Czech Republic)

Abstract

A new record of a long cordaitalean branch bearing leaves and pollen producing organs is described from the Kamenný Újezd locality, Plzeň Basin Czech Republic. The specimen came from in situ “Bělka” tuff in the lowermost part of the Whetstone Horizon, Radnice Member, late Duckmantian. The branch is an adpression with some anatomical features preserved. The septate pith belongs to Artisia and the xylem could be compared with Cordaixylon. The phyllotaxis is 3/8. The Whetstone Horizon is the type horizon for Cordaites borassifolius. A new species Florinanthus longiantheratus Bureš et al. sp. nov. is established based on detail study of pollen producing organs found at the Kamenný Újezd locality. In situ Pollen grains are classified as Florinites pellucidus. The preservation of the leaf cuticles from the Kamenný Újezd locality does not allow for a precise identificaton with Cordaites borassifolius, and thus classified here as Cordaites cf. borassifolius.