Home > Iowa Academy of Science > Journals & Newsletters > Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science > Volume 78 (1971) > Number 3-4
Document Type
Research
Keywords
Paleobotany; fossil plants; Lepidophloios; coal balls; Iowa Pennsylvanian
Abstract
Examination of Iowa coal balls from the Des Moines Series has yielded two petrified stern fragments assignable to the arborescent lycopod genus Lepidophloios. Details of the leaf cushions and internal stem anatomy are described and compared with similar specimens from Kansas and Illinois coal balls. In light of these observations, criteria presently used to distinguish among species of Lepidophloios are re-examined. In particular, the diagnostic features of Lepidophloios kansanus (Felix) Eggert and L. pachydermatikos Andrews & Murdy are reviewed and determine to represent ontogenetic differences. The probable conspecific nature of the above taxa results in assignment of the Iowa specimens to L.kansanus sensu lat.
Publication Date
January 1972
Journal Title
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science
Volume
78
Issue
3-4
First Page
44
Last Page
47
Copyright
©1972 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Brotzman, Nancy and Schabilion, Jeffry
(1972)
"Petrified Lepidophloios Specimens from Iowa Coal Balls,"
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 78(3-4), 44-47.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol78/iss3/5