Some notes on Marattia anglica from the Jurassic of Yorkshire

Abstract

In this paper the spores of the Jurassic fern Marattia anglica are redescribed. It appeared that at least 30% of the spores have a more or less trilete, instead of the usual monolete, laesura. In Marattia muensteri, M. hoerensis and M. crenulata (three species from the Jurassic), trilete spores also appeared to occur, although in much lower percentages than in M. anglica. The spores of M. anglica are compared with recent Marattia spores and with Jurassic dispersed spores.

Furthermore, the systematic position of M. anglica and other Jurassic Marattia species is discussed.