Observations on Eristophyton Zalessky, Lyginorachis waltonii Calder, and Cladoxylon edromense sp. nov. from the Lower Carboniferous Cementstone Group of Scotland

Abstract

ABSTRACTFifteen specimens of Eristophyton stems from the Lower Carboniferous Cementstone Group of Berwickshire and East Lothian have been examined. Three possess medullary rays comparable to E. waltonii Lacey, the others have rays like E. beinertianum (Göpp.) Zalessky. In one specimen assigned to E. waltonii a leaf-trace subdivides outside the secondary xylem to form an arc of six separate bundles. Another stem of E. waltonii has attached closely spaced petiole bases one of which is clearly identifiable as Lyginorachis with six vascular bundles arranged in an arc. Stems of Eristophyton from five localities occur associated with petioles or rachises possessing a U-shaped vascular bundle with abaxial ridges like L. waltonii Calder. As these may occur mixed with rachises agreeing with L. brownii Calder the latter is regarded as synonymous. Detached petioles found associated with E. beinertianum may possess four or six basal bundles. The evidence suggests that the U-shaped petiolar bundle passes down into four then six basal bundles and such petioles are associated with both E. waltonii and E. beinertianum. Calder (1935, pl. 1, fig. 2) showed dichotomy in the petiole bundle.In addition different rachises are known possessing a more massive U-shaped bundle but lacking sclerotic nests and sparganum outer cortex. These are assigned to Cladoxylon edromense sp. nov. Cortical nests occur in both E. waltonii and L. waltonii and may be compared with the sclerotic plates in the compressions of Diplotmema dissectum Brongn. and D. patentissimum Ett.. The evidence supports the view that Eristophyton is a pteridosperm with bifurcate fronds known as L. waltonii Calder when petrified and comparable to Diplotmema when compressed.