Psilophytites gileppensis nov. sp.,une plante épineuse du Dévonien inférieur du bord sud du synclinorium de Verviers (Belgique)

Abstract

The oldest spiny plant from Belgium is described from a Lower Devonian outcrop close to the La Gileppe Lake (South of Verviers Synclinorium). The age of this outcrop, based on spores, ranges from Upper Lochkovian to Lower Pragian. The plant axes bear long and narrow emergences and are isotomously or anisotomously branched. An axillary “organ” (very spiny axis) is sometimes present, originating at the angle of division. All axes are vegetative; their anatomy is unknown. Nevertheless, they can be placed in the incertae sedis genus Psilophytites Höeg. They represent a new species of this genus comprising vegetative axes with spreading undivided spines. The occurrence of axes with such a morphology in Upper Lochkovian or Lower Pragian sediments is stratigraphically significant and justifies the description of this new species.