''Umkomasia macleanii'' is an ovulate structure of a seed fern (
Pteridospermatophyta
The term Pteridospermatophyta (or "seed ferns" or "Pteridospermatopsida") is a polyphyletic group of extinct seed-bearing plants (spermatophytes). The earliest fossil evidence for plants of this type is the genus ''Elkinsia'' of the late Devonian ...
and the nominate genus of Family
Umkomasiaceae. It was first described by Hamshaw Thomas
from the Umkomaas locality of South Africa.
Description
The ovulate structures of ''Umkomasia macleanii'' differ from other species of ''
Umkomasia
''Umkomasia'' is a genus of seed bearing organs produced by corystosperm seed ferns, first based on fossils collected by Hamshaw Thomas from the Burnera Waterfall locality near the Umkomaas River of South Africa.
He recognized on the basis of ...
'' in small size, and limited geographic distribution.
Whole plant reconstructions
''Umkomasia macleanii'' may have been produced by the same plant as ''
Pteruchus africanus
''Pteruchus africanus'' is a pollen organ of a seed fern (Pteridospermatophyta). It was first described by Hamshaw Thomas from the Umkomaas locality of South Africa.
Description
The pollen organs ''Pteruchus africanus'' differ from other spe ...
'' (pollen organs) and ''
Dicroidium odontopteroides
''Dicroidium odontopteroides'' was a common and widespread species of ''Dicroidium'' known from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and Antarctica. The species was first discovered in Triassic sediments of Tasmania and described ...
'' (leaves), based on cuticular similarities between these leaves and reproductive structures at the Umkomaas locality of South Africa.
References
Triassic plants
Pteridospermatophyta
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