''Dollyphyton'' is a
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
fossil
A fossil (from Classical Latin , ) is any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from a past geological age. Examples include bones, shells, exoskeletons, stone imprints of animals or microbes, objects preserved ...
with controversial interpretation from the
Middle Ordovician (
Darriwilian
The Darriwilian is the upper stage of the Middle Ordovician. It is preceded by the Dapingian and succeeded by the Upper Ordovician Sandbian Stage. The lower boundary of the Darriwilian is defined as the first appearance of the graptolite species '' ...
, 460 million years old)
Douglas Lake Member of the Lenoir Limestone from Douglas Dam Tennessee.
The generic name honors
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...
whose
Dollywood resort is nearby. The epithet honors
Art Boucot.
Description
''Dollyphyton'' is considered as a
fossil
A fossil (from Classical Latin , ) is any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from a past geological age. Examples include bones, shells, exoskeletons, stone imprints of animals or microbes, objects preserved ...
peat moss
''Sphagnum'' is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as sphagnum moss, peat moss, also bog moss and quacker moss (although that term is also sometimes used for peat). Accumulations of ''Sphagnum'' can store wa ...
by
Gregory Retallack
Gregory John Retallack (born 8 November 1951) is an Australian paleontologist, geologist, and author who specializes in the study of fossil soils (paleopedology). His research has examined the fossil record of soils though major events in Earth ...
. Its leaves are wide and have lateral teeth. Its capsule is terminal on a short pseudopodium.
Interpretation
Unlike most peat mosses ''Dollyphyton'' has broad leaves like those of the living peat moss
Flatbergium
''Flatbergium'' is a genus of 2 accepted species.
''Flatbergium sericeum'' and ''Flatbergium novo-caledoniae'', originally described as species of ''Sphagnum'', are now considered part of a separate genus on the basis of genetic differences. The ...
, considered basal to
Sphagnales
The Sphagnales is an order of mosses with four living genera: '' Ambuchanania'', '' Eosphagnum'', '' Flatbergium'', and ''Sphagnum
''Sphagnum'' is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as sphagnum moss, pea ...
. Interpretation of this fossil as a
peat moss
''Sphagnum'' is a genus of approximately 380 accepted species of mosses, commonly known as sphagnum moss, peat moss, also bog moss and quacker moss (although that term is also sometimes used for peat). Accumulations of ''Sphagnum'' can store wa ...
has been doubted in some quarters but accepted in others.
References
Fossils of Tennessee
Fossil record of plants
Ordovician plants
Sphagnales
Prehistoric plant genera
Moss genera
{{Ordovician-plant-stub