Abstract
This study includes a comprehensive examination of existing collections, extensive field work over two summers and literature searches. Based upon this data source the lower vascular plants of the Dakota Formation (Cenomanian) from five localities in Kansas and Nebraska were studied. Thirteen species can be recognized including one lycophyte, one sphenopyte and eleven pterophytes. Two aquatic plants ( Marsilea and ac>e ̈ ) are new reports for the Dakota flora. One new combination is described: Anemia dakotensis (Rushforth) comb. nov. Comparisons are made with fossil plants from the western deposits of the Dakota Formation and also to information from the microfossil record. Distribution of the plants by locality indicates that the ferns were most likely understory plants in or associated with conifer-dominated forests or swamps. Most of the lower vascular plants present in these deposits represent families that are known earlier in the megafossil record. It is suggested that some ferns were common and dominated certain environments as thickets or formed Mesozoic fern prairies.
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