Reticulate Venation Research Articles

Determination of the authenticity of lemon balm leaves by morphological and anatomical features

Мелісу лікарську успішно застосовують з лікувальною метою. Медичні препарати, що містять у своєму складі мелісу, мають седативні, спазмолітичні, антибактеріальні властивості. При застосуванні лікарських засобів рослинного походження важливе значення має якість вихідної лікарської рослинної сировини. Тому при заготівлі рослинної сировини особливу увагу приділяють визначенню її тотожності, однією із складових якої є встановлення макро- та мікроскопічних діагностичних ознак. Мета. Метою даної роботи було встановлення тотожності меліси лікарської листя за морфолого-анатомічними ознаками. Методи. Для досліджень використовували фіксовані у суміші етанол-гліцерин-вода листя меліси лікарської, заготовлені на території Харківської обл. Для вивчення клітин і тканин листя меліси використовували методи світлової мікроскопії. Результати. Шляхом макроскопічного аналізу встановлені основні діагностичні морфологічні ознаки, регламентовані Державною фармакопеєю України 2.0 монографією «Меліси листя»: розміри та форму листкової пластинки (пластинка широкояйцеподібна, до 8 см завдовжки і 5 см завширшки, із загостреною верхівкою та від заокругленої до серцеподібної основою), форму краю листкової пластинки (краї пластинки від городчастої до зубчастої форми); забарвлення та жилкування листкової пластинки (верхня поверхня інтенсивно зелена, нижня поверхня бліднувато-зелена, із помітною середньою жилкою та виступаючим сітчастим жилкуванням); опушення (розсіяні волоски трапляються на верхній поверхні і вздовж жилок на нижній поверхні). При мікроскопічному дослідженні у порошку листя повинні виявлятись фрагменти верхньої епідерми (вигляд зверху) із клітин зі звивистими оболонками, деколи із прилеглою палісадною паренхімою; фрагменти нижньої епідерми із продиховими апаратами діацитного типу; характерні волоски (короткі, прямі, одноклітинні, конічні покривні волоски; багатоклітинні, однорядні покривні волоски із загостреними кінцями; залозисті волоски); вісьмиклітинні ефіроолійні залозки lamiaceous типу (вигляд зверху). Висновки. Встановлена тотожність листя меліси лікарської за макро- та мікроскопічними діагностичними ознаками. У досліджуваній сировині визначені діагностичні морфологічні та мікроскопічні ознаки, що регламентуються вимогами ДФУ 2.0 монографії «Меліси листя»

Una especies nueva de Guarea (Meliaceae) del suroriente de Ecuador

A new species of Guarea (Meliaceae) from the rainforests of Ecuador, G. cauliracemosa, is described. It is distinguished by the following combination of characters: leaflets densely tomentulose, underside of leaves with conspicuously reticulate tertiary venation and inflorescence cauline-racemose. The species is known only from Cordillera del Cóndor, Zamora-Chinchipe province, south-eastern Ecuador.

Antifungal Activities of bark extract of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. (Asclepiadaceae)

The present, manusrcript deals with the antifungal activities of bark extract of Calotropis procera (Ait.) R.Br. a significant member of family Asclepiadaceae. The plant is glabrous herb or shrub with lower woody portion having erect, solid, branched and cylindrical stem with white latex. The leaves are simple, opposite, cauline, ramal, exstipulate, entire, glabrous and having reticulate venation. The fruit is characteristic follicle type. The leaf extract, flowers and latex is applied as folk-medicines over ringworm infection, rotting nails and other fungal diseases of skin as revealed out by the concerned authors during the Ethnomedico botanical survey of Hardoi and Shahjahanpur districts of Uttar Pradesh between December 2008 to June 2012. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to confirm its antifungal activities expermentally.Four dermatophytes namely Candida albicans (MTCC#183). Tinea capitis (MTCC#7739) Epidermophyton floccosum (RV # 71625) and Microsporum canis (CRV#66973) were cultured in the laboratory. The bark was dried, crushed and powdered by mortar and pestle with the use of electric grinder too. The powder was extracted at room temperature and ethanol extract was prepared. The sterile Whatman filter paper disks (6mm) were saturated with the extract and applied over culture media. The zone of inhibition were recorded to find out the efficacy of bark extract against aforesaid fungi. In the present investigation Ketoconazole was used as control.

Inheritance of two types of modified leaf venation in sunflower (Helianthus annuusL.)

The inheritance of two types of modified leaf venation which were called as fan-nerved venation was studied in the cultivated sunflower. Both types of modified venation were isolated in chemical mutagenesis experiments which were conducted earlier. A distinctive feature of one of the mutations is clear appearance of central rib while the second mutation lacks it. The F1 plants from crosses between those mutants and between the mutants and genotypes with reticulate leaf venation had the usual reticulate leaf venation of sunflower (the wild type). The test of allelism, thus, demonstrates that the venation in the induced mutations is controlled by a gene (or genes) different from the gene causing the other venation phenotype. The F2 segregated into four phenotypic classes of leaf venation: reticulate, two groups of both types of modified venation, and plants with the two modified venation types combined in the ratio of 9 reticulate (double dominant phenotype): 3 fan-venation type 1: fan-venation type 2: 1 combined fan-venation (double recessive homozygotes). It is concluded that two non-allelic recessive genes with complementary interaction are involved in the genetic control of fan-nerved leaf venation, and reticulate venation was determined by a combination of at least two dominant alleles of these genes. The gene symbols proposed are vf1 and vf2.

Ctenis clarnoensissp. n., an Unusual Cycadalean Foliage from the Eocene Clarno Formation, Oregon

Premise of research. Leaves of an extinct kind of cycad are recognized from the middle and late Eocene Clarno Formation of Oregon. Although the pinnately compound leaf is similar in gross form and organization to some other extant and Cenozoic cycads such as Dioon Lindl., Encephalartos Lehm., and Dioonopsis Horiuchi et Kimura, it is readily distinguished from them by its venation, consisting of a closed reticulum of a single order of veins with a frequent dichotomizing and anastomosing pattern. Methodology. Fossils stored in the Museum of Paleontology (University of California), Florida Museum of Natural History (University of Florida), and Condon Museum of Natural History (University of Oregon) were studied applying conventional macromorphological and micromorphological methods including transmitted light and epifluorescence microscopy. Pivotal results. The leaves conform in their peculiar venation and epidermal anatomy to the extinct genus Ctenis Lindley et Hutton, which previously was known only from Mesozoic occurrences. Ctenis clarnoensis Erdei et Manchester sp. n. adds to the diversity of cycads known from the Paleogene of western North America. Conclusions. The record of the reticulate-veined C. clarnoensis and other fossil cycad genera with anastomosing venation patterns from the Paleogene implies that an extinct lineage or lineages of cycads sharing the character of reticulate venation, previously considered to be restricted to the Mesozoic, may have persisted into the Paleogene. Some physiognomic features of leaflets including the involute margin and pointed apex may suggest periodically dry conditions. By the present record the stratigraphic range of Ctenis is significantly extended from its previously known latest records in the Early Cretaceous up to as late as the Eocene.

Pharmacognostic and pharmacological studies of leaf, stem and fruit of emexspinosa (L.) Campd

The current study deals with the pharmacognostic and pharmacological assessment of Emex spinosa (L.) Campd. The macro studies of leaf showed reticulate venation, anatomically the surface showed stomata with paracytic pattern, polygonal epidermal cells on adaxial surface, single layered palisade cells and vascular bundles. Multicellular trichomes and perismatic crystals were recorded in the powder drug. The transverse section of the stem showed epidermis, cortex, cork, metaxylem, protoxylem, medulla and phloem. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, phenols, alkaloids, triterpenoids and flavonoids. The total flavonoids content was 15.08 mg/g in stem, 58.66 mg/g in leaf and 37.39 mg/g in fruit. The total phenolic content varied was 77.84 mg/g in stem, 97.09 mg/g in leaf and 97.72 mg/g in fruit. The highest percent value for free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), was shown by fruit extract 90.45%, followed by leaf 79.32% and lowest by stem 48.33%. The acute toxicity test of the crude extract was safe up to the dose of 50 mg/kg. The leaf extract showed significant cytotoxic activity at concentration of 500 mg/ml against brine shrimps (80%), stem extract showed low activity. Fruit Atropine sulphate extracts produced highest, 55.94%, inhibition at a dose of 2 mg/kg whereas the fruit methanolic extract showed the highest percent inhibition (24.4%) at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Phytotoxic activity in all the plant extracts was moderate at and low at concentrations of 1000µg/ml and 10 µg/ml respectively.

The Role of Cellulose Fibers inGnetum gnemonLeaf Hydraulics

Premise of research. Leaves of Gnetum are strikingly similar to angiosperm leaves with their reticulate venation in a broad elliptic lamina. Despite this superficial resemblance, their leaf vein density—a parameter that has been shown to be a key determinant of hydraulic and photosynthetic capacity—is well below what might be expected for an angiosperm tree in humid tropical forests, and Gnetum vein placement within the leaf tissue is similarly problematic given its relatively high stomatal conductance.Methodology. We used a combination of basic physiology with scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy to study the distribution and properties of G. gnemon leaf fibers to determine whether they play a direct role in water transport and leaf hydration.Pivotal results. We show that cellulosic fibers penetrating the leaf mesophyll actively participate in water distribution in G. gnemon leaves, providing a hydraulic supplement to vein-based water distribution.Conclusions. Presence of this alternative water supply path explains high stomatal conductance and stomatal pore indices that are inconsistent with their low vein densities. These fibers act in a way that is analogous to the transfusion tissue of some cycads and conifers, although the mechanism involved is unique since conductance is via thick hydrophilic cell walls rather than via cell lumens, as in lignified tracheids. Thus, the superficial convergence of Gnetum leaves with overall angiosperm morphology obscures the fact that, functionally, they are still very much gymnospermous.

Reading the leaves: A comparison of leaf rank and automated areole measurement for quantifying aspects of leaf venation.

The reticulate venation that is characteristic of a dicot leaf has excited interest from systematists for more than a century, and from physiological and developmental botanists for decades. The tools of digital image acquisition and computer image analysis, however, are only now approaching the sophistication needed to quantify aspects of the venation network found in real leaves quickly, easily, accurately, and reliably enough to produce biologically meaningful data. In this paper, we examine 120 leaves distributed across vascular plants (representing 118 genera and 80 families) using two approaches: a semiquantitative scoring system called “leaf ranking,” devised by the late Leo Hickey, and an automated image-analysis protocol. In the process of comparing these approaches, we review some methodological issues that arise in trying to quantify a vein network, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of automatic data collection and human pattern recognition. We conclude that subjective leaf rank provides a relatively consistent, semiquantitative measure of areole size among other variables; that modal areole size is generally consistent across large sections of a leaf lamina; and that both approaches—semiquantitative, subjective scoring; and fully quantitative, automated measurement—have appropriate places in the study of leaf venation.

Biodiversidad de Neuroptera en México

Neuropterans or net-winged insects are characterized by possessing broad membranous wings strengthened by an elaborated reticulate venation. They are predators, mainly as larvae, so they are considered a beneficial group that controls some agricultural and horticultural pests. They are found in all temperate and tropical regions of the world, reaching their highest diversity in tropical forest communities and their highest abundance in desert communities and temperate habitats. It is a small order with a world fauna of ca. 5 750 species. It is an old group with strongly distinct families. Six percent of the world fauna has been recorded in Mexico, which is represented by 349 species in 10 families (number of species in parentheses): Myrmeleontidae (102), Chrysopidae (100), Hemerobiidae (50), Coniopterygidae (40), Mantispidae (26), Ascalaphidae (21), Sisyridae (3), Ithonidae (3), Berothidae (3) and Dilaridae (1).

Phylogenetics, character evolution, and distribution patterns of the greenbriers, Smilacaceae (Liliales), a near-cosmopolitan family of monocots

Smilacaceae, composed of Smilax and Heterosmilax, are a cosmopolitan family of > 200 species of mostly climbing monocots with alternate leaves characterized by reticulate venation, a pair of petiolar tendrils and usually prickly stems. Although there has been a long history of studying Smilax since Linnaeus named the genus in 1753, the phylogenetic history of this dioecious family remains unclear. Here we present results based on nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and plastid matK and rpl16 intron DNA sequence data from 125 taxa of Smilacaceae. Our taxon sampling covers all sections of Smilax and Heterosmilax and major distribution zones of the family; species from Ripogonaceae and Philesiaceae are used as outgroups. Our molecular analysis indicates that phylogenetic relationships largely contradict the traditional morphological classification of the family, instead showing a conspicuous geographical pattern among the species clades. The previously recognized genus Heterosmilax was found to be embedded in Smilax. Species in the family are separated into primarily New World and Old World clades, except for a single species lineage, Smilax aspera, that is sister to the remaining species of the family, but with poor statistical support. Ancestral character state reconstructions and examination of distribution patterns among the clades provide important information for future taxonomic revisions and historical biogeography of the group. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 173, 535–548.

New marsileaceous fossils from the Late Cretaceous of South America and a reevaluation of Marsileaceaephyllum

Herein we report new macrofossils and associated microfossils representing the aquatic fern family Marsileaceae from the Campanian to Maastrichtian Canadon del Irupe locality, La Colonia Formation, Chubut Province, Argentina. The macrofossils include compound leaves, detached leaflets, and sporocarps. The venation of the leaflets is consistent with the diagnosis of Marsileaceaephyllum, which we argue is poorly defined. Consequently, the circumscription and diagnosis of Marsileaceaephyllum are emended in order to limit the taxon to include only leaves or rhizomes bearing leaves with four leaflets that most resemble those of Marsilea among extant genera of Marsileaceae. The Canadon del Irupe leaves and leaflets are assigned to the new genus Mirasolita, erected to encompass compound leaves bearing two petiolulate leaflets, each leaflet having a reniform lamina and reticulate venation. The architecture of Mirasolita leaves and leaflets is distinct from that of leaves of any of the living marsileaceous genera. The stalked sporocarps are assigned to the new genus Lugiomarsiglia. They are attributed to Marsileaceae because each has a sclerenchymatous wall surrounding circular bodies interpreted as sporangia. Associated megaspores are assigned to Molaspora lobata, a geographically widespread, primarily Late Cretaceous dispersed spore taxon. The co-occurrence of Molaspora lobata with an extinct marsileaceous leaf form fits a pattern wherein Cretaceous Regnellidium-like megaspores are associated with or found in situ within marsileaceous macrofossils that display a variety of morphologies.

The first fossil Microsoroid fern (Palaeosorum ellipticum gen. et sp. nov.) from the middle Miocene of Yunnan, SW China

AbstractThe microsoroid ferns make up a large group in the family Polypodiaceae, easily characterized by the combination of at least partly clathrate rhizome scales and anastomosing reticulate venation. The diversification of this clade is poorly known, both because of unresolved generic delimitations and the lack of fossil records. In this work, we describe the first microsoroid macrofossil: Palaeosorum ellipticum sp. nov. F. M. B. Jacques & Z. K. Zhou. The fossil specimen, represented by part and counterpart, was found in the middle Miocene sediment of the Dajie Formation in Ailsohan, central Yunnan, southwest China. Epiphytic ferns belonging to Drynaria are found in different locations in Yunnan during the Pliocene. The fossil described in this study deepens the occurrence of epiphytic ferns in Yunnan back to the middle Miocene. It demonstrates that forests with complex ecological relationships have existed in southwest China for more than 10 million years.

Coal seam correlation of an Indian Gondwana coalfield: A palaeobotanical perspective

Coal in India mainly belongs to Gondwana coalfields of Damodar-Koel, Son-Mahanadi, Wardha-Godavari, Narmada and Satpura Basins. The associated carbonaceous shales and sandstones exposed in these coalfields contain a variety of plant fossil assemblages of Glossopteris flora. The name of the flora is derived from the dominant presence of Glossopteris — leaves having a tongue shape, entire margin, distinct midrib and reticulate venation pattern. Apart from the leaves of Glossopteris, the flora is known by related leaf types, variety of male–female fructifications, seeds, sporangia and spore-pollen of the Glossopterid group of plants. The fossils of other groups of plants viz., Bryophytes, Lycophytes, Pteridophytes, Coniferophytes, and Ginkgophytes are also discovered in association with the flora. The coal bearing sequence of the Indian Gondwana coalfields is subdivided into a number of geological formations of the Permian Period i.e. Talchir, Karharbari, Barakar, Barren Measures, and Raniganj.Each formation contains characteristic plant fossil assemblages. The coal is being exploited from the workable coal seams of the Karharbari, Barakar and Raniganj formations.The palaeobotanical investigation of plant fossils recovered from four different coal seams of Pench, Kanhan and Pathakhera coalfields of the Satpura Gondwana Basin, of central India, indicates the presence of different types of assemblages in different coal seams. The flora of Lower Barakar coal seams demonstrates the frequent occurrence of Gangamopteris, Noeggerathiopsis, Buriadia, Botrychiopsis, various types of fructification Ottokaria, Arberia, seeds, and leaves of Glossopteris. In distinction the assemblage of the upper Barakar seams show the homogeneity of flora, with dominance of Glossopteris-species and different types of glossoptrid leaves e. g. Rhabdotaenia, Maheshwariphyllum, fructification Plumsteadia, Partha, Scutum and fertile and sterile fronds of Neomariopteris. Present study for the first time demonstrates the usefulness of plant fossil data in the correlation of coal seams in the Gondwana coalfields of India.The floristic analysis of the Raniganj Coalfield of eastern India also shows the evidence of specific distributions of plant fossils in different coal seams of Early Permian Barakar Formation.

Miocene Smilax leaves and associated epiphyllous fungi from Zhejiang, East China and their paleoecological implications

Smilax tiantaiensis sp. nov. is described from the Late Miocene Shenxian Formation in Zhejiang Province, East China based on five fossil leaves with fine venation and well preserved cuticles. The fossil leaves are characterized by an ovate shape, entire margin, mucronate apex, rounded base, five primary basal acrodromous veins with reticulate venation in between; leaves hypostomatic, anticlinal walls undulated and stomatal apparatus anomocytic. The fossils have been compared with extant and other fossil species hitherto described in this genus. Some fossil stromata, hyphae and spores identified as Callimothallus pertusus Dilcher (Microthyriaceae) were discovered on the both epidermides of S. tiantaiensis. The climbing habit of Smilax and the presence of the epiphyllous fungus of C. pertusus on the fossil leaves may indicate that the multistratified forest was growing under a humid climate during the Miocene in Zhejiang.

Pharmocognostic studies of <i>JATROPHA Curcas</i> Linn. (Euphorbiaceae)

Jatropha curcas, a multipurpose, drought resistant, perennial plant belonging to Euphorbiaceae family is gaining due to its production of biodiesel. It is a tropical plant that can be grown in low to high rainfall areas either in the farm as a commercial crop or on the boundaries as a hedge to protect fields from grazing animals and to prevent erosion. The macroscopical, microscopical characters and the analytical standards of the plant were determined using standard methods. Macroscopical studies revealed that the petiole shows slight enlargement at the point of attachment. Leaf is dark green on the upper surface and pale green on the ventral surface, alternately arranged on the stem, reticulate venation, and margin palmately lobed. The stem is cylindrical in shape, smooth with spots of brown nodules. The root is cylindrical tapering to the end, and the surface smooth. Daughter roots are present. Microscopical Studies revealed that the powdered leaf possesses anomocytic stomata, prisms of calcium oxalate crystals, and starch grains. The powdered stem and root showed fibres associated with pitted vessels, phloem, xylem, sclereids, and prisms of calcium oxalate.The transverse section of the leaf showed the epidermis covered externally by wavy cuticle, anomocytic stomata, mesophyll consisting of spongy mesophyll composed of parenchyma cells with intercellular air spaces, and palisade mesophyll made up of cylindrical cells. The transverse of the stem and root showed epidermis having thin walls, phloem, xylem, and multiseriated medullary rays containing starch grains. The percentages of total ash for the leaf, stem and root of J. curcas, were 11.45, 5.30 and 6.05; water soluble ash values 5.50, 1.60 and 4.00; sulphated ash values 5.30, 6.00 and 8.90; acid insoluble ash values 0.65, 3.35 and 3.35; water soluble extractive values 2.55, 14.40 and 4.15; alcohol soluble extractive values 3.35, 3.80 and 2.65; moisture contents 12.25, 1.90 and 18.25 respectively. The quantitative analysis of the leaf showed that the palisade ratio is 4.75 ± 1.92; stomatal number, 26.50 ± 1.50; stomatal index, 0.57 ± 0.06; vein- islet, 9.75 ± 3.63 and veinlet termination number, 6.75 ± 2.86.Keywords: Jatropha curcas, Pharmacognostic studies, EuphorbiaceaeJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 3 (2010)

A new genus of the family dictyopharidae (Homoptera) from Argentina

A new monotypical genus with a new species, Phormotegus lenociniosus gen. et sp. n., is described from Argentina. The new genus is closely related to the genera Taosa Distant and Brachytaosa Muir, but differs from them in the reticulate venation of the submacropterous fore wings with outcurved apices and in the unique position of the hind wings projecting laterally from the apices of the fore wings.

Morphological consequence of Gangamopteris McCoy in Glossopteris flora

The leaves of Gangamopteris McCoy are the dominant constituent of Glossopteris flora in Lower Permian sequences of Gondwana. Morphologically leaves are similar with Glossopteris Brongniart in having reticulate venation pattern but differ in the absence of midrib. Large number of plant fossils collected from the carbonaceous shale samples of Barakar coal seams (Lower Gondwana) of Satpura Gondwana Basin, India indicates the presence of number of specimens of Gangamopteris belonging to sixteen species including two new species viz., Gangamopteris sethiaensis sp. nov. and Gangamopteris satpuraensis sp. nov. The morphological diversity, stratigraphical distribution and character affiliation of Gangamopteris demonstrate its organizational involvement towards the development of Glossopteris and signify the evolutionary lineage in Glossopteridales.

Comparative anatomical features of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce and Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC (Mimosaceae)

A comparative study of the leaflets of two domestic species of Prosopis is reported. Both the species, Prosopis cineraria and Prosopis juliflora, have been reported to possess antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and the most concerning anticancer properties. In view of its medicinal importance and taxonomic confusion, the individual morphological and histological characteristics of these two species have been described through certain parameters such as structural profile of the leaflets, stomatal morphology, venation pattern, petiolule and vascular system of the rachis. Evaluation of the fresh and anatomical sections of the leaves of both species was carried out to determine its macro- and microscopical (histological) characters. The studies indicated the presence of bipinnately compound leaf, an entire margin, apiculate apex, obtuse base, reticulate venation, thick and straight anticlinal walled epidermal cells, prismatic type of calcium oxalate crystals in the mesophyll tissue, dense deposition of tannin content and paracytic type stomata in the P. cineraria, whereas P. juliflora has a bipinnately compound leaf with an entire margin, blunt apex, round base, reticulate venation, thick and straight walled epidermal cells, large mucilage cavities in the mesophyll tissue and paracytic type stomata. The above findings provided referential information for identification of the species P. cineraria and P. juliflora. Key words: Prosopis cineraria, Prosopis juliflora, sacred tree, Vanni

Addition to the knowledge of megafloral diversity from the Rajmahal Formation

Specimens of Equisetites rajmahalensis, Marattiopsis macrocarpa and Cladophlebis salicifilia collected from Bindaban and Chunakhali areas and their previous records of Rajmahal Formation have been investigated to determine their specific circumscription. In addition, pinnately compound leaf, bearing ovate-orbicular pinnae with reticulate venation is described for the first time from the formation.

A NewCynepterisfrom the Upper Triassic of Arizona: Potential Implications for the Early Diversification of Schizaealean Ferns

Cynepteris bolichii is proposed as a new species of the monogeneric fern family Cynepteridaceae on the basis of a single, well‐articulated specimen from the Upper Triassic Chinle Formation in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona. The specimen consists of an erect rhizome with at least eight attached fronds. As for the other three known Cynepteris species, C. bolichii pinnae exhibit reticulate venation and scattered, solitary, exindusiate sporangia on their abaxial surfaces. Each sporangium is ovoid to pyriform with a short, thick stalk and a complete, apical, caplike annulus consisting of a single row of cells surrounding a multicellular distal plate. These sporangial features are similar to those of several fossil and extant schizaealean ferns. Cynepteris bolichii differs from other Cynepteris species mainly in having once‐pinnate fronds with abundant, elongate hairs on the rachises and veins. Most recent estimates of fern phylogeny consider the Jurassic fossils Stachypteris, Klukiopsis, and Klukia as the oldest fossil representatives of the Schizaeales. It is here proposed that Cynepteris should be considered as a probable Late Triassic record of the order. Features such as reticulate venation, scattered sporangia, and lack of fertile/sterile frond dimorphism are rare and scattered among other fossil and extant ferns currently attributed to the Schizaeales, underscoring the importance of fossils for understanding the early divergence, ancestral morphology, and biogeography of ancient plants groups like the ferns.