Aspects of Permian palaeobotany and palynology. IV. The conifer Ortiseia florin from the val gardena formation of the dolomites and the Vicentinian alps (Italy) with special reference to a revised concept of the Walchiaceae (Göppert) Schimper

Abstract

On the basis of rich material from the Val Gardena Formation in the Dolomites and the Vicentinian Alps, the Late Permian conifer Ortiseria Florin has been studied in detail with the aid of cuticle analysis. Originally described as a form-genus for sterile remains with preserved epidermal structure, the diagnosis of Ortiseia is considerably emended by including information on the organization of the ovuliferous and polliniferous cones. Pollen grains (prepollen) correspond to the palynological form-genus Nuskoisporites Potonié et Klaus. Within Ortiseia three distinctive species can be recognized: Ortiseia leonardii Florin, Ortiseia visscheri nov. sp. and Ortiseia jonkeri nov. sp.

The genus Ortiseia is compared in detail with the Late Carboniferous—Early Permian conifers Walchia Sternberg (synonym: Lebachia Florin) and Ernestiodendron Florin, especially with respect to the organization of the ovuliferous cone. There is every indication that the three genera are characterized by inverted ovules, which are abaxially attached on megasporophylls. Such a characteristic is in conflict with generally accepted reconstructions of Walchia and Ernestiodendron. Consequently, the diagnoses of these genera are emended; together with Ortiseia they are classified within the family Walchiaceae (Göppert) Schimper. Two species, formerly included in Lebachia have been transferred to Walchia: W. garnettensis (Florin) nov. comb. and W. goeppertiana (Florin) nov. comb.

The form-genus Culmitzschia Ullrich is emended to include sterile walchiaceous remains with preserved epidermal structure. A number of species formerly included in Lebachia have been transferred to Culmitzschia: C. angustifolia (Florin) nov. comb., C. frondosa (Renault) nov. comb., C. hirmeri (Florin) nov. comb., C. intermedia (Florin) nov. comb., C. laxifolia (Florin) nov. comb., C. mitis (Florin) nov. comb., C. mucronata (Florin) nov. comb. and C. speciosa (Florin) nov. comb.