''Dictyopteridium'' is an extinct

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of plants belonging to Glossopteridaceae, but the name is used only for compression fossils of elongate multiovulate reproductive structures adnate to ''Glossopteris leaves''. Permineralized remains identical to ''Dictyopteridium'' have been referred to the organ genus ''Homevaleia'' Dictyopteridium hand specimen

Description

''Dictyopteridium'' is an elongate leaf-like structure adnate to the upper surface of ordinary-appearing leaves of ''Glossopteris''. It bore numerous ovules on its lower side which was folded over and filled with mucilage cells. Pollen still found its way into the pollen chambers of these protected seeds, and fertilization was by utilizing motile sperm with helical cilial bands.

Whole plant associations

Permineralzed remains from the Late Permian Blackwater Coal Measures near Homevale Station, Queensland is evidence that the following paleobotanical organ genera were part of the same plant species: ''Dictyopteridium sporiferum'' impression of ovulate structure, ''Homevaleia gouldii'' permineralized ovulate structure, ''Glossopteris communis'' impressions of leaves, ''Eretmonia hinjridaensis'' pollen organ, ''Protohaploxypinus limpidus'' pollen, ''Araucarioxylon bengalense'' wood, and ''Vertebraria australis'' chambered roots.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q25064186 Pteridospermatophyta Permian plants Prehistoric plant genera Lopingian first appearances Lopingian genus extinctions