Peltaspermaceae is a natural family of seed ferns (
Pteridospermatophyta) widespread in both northern and southern hemispheres coal measures of Permian and Triassic age. Peltasperms persisted in a
relictual distribution in Patagonia during the Early Jurassic.
Description
Peltaspermaceae have umbrella-like (peltate)
cupules with numerous pendant
ovules
In seed plants, the ovule is the structure that gives rise to and contains the female reproductive cells. It consists of three parts: the ''integument'', forming its outer layer, the ''nucellus'' (or remnant of the megasporangium), and the fe ...
born in complex large branching structures (''
Peltaspermum'').
The pollen organ (''
Antevsia'') has radiating cigar-shaped pollen sacs attached to small blades, again in complex branching structures.
The leaves (''
Lepidopteris'') are bipinnate to tripinnate with small pinnules on the rachis.
References
External links
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Permian plants
Triassic plants
Prehistoric plant families
Pteridospermatophyta
Permian first appearances
Triassic extinctions
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