Revision of the genus Cordaites UNGER from the Permian of the Intrasudetic Basin (Broumov Formation, Olivětín Member, Czech Republic)

Abstract

Cordaitalean remains are not very common in the Permian of the Intrasudetic Basin (Czech Republic and Poland) and have usually been classified simply as Cordaites sp. Based on leaf morphology, venation and cuticles (where possible), five cordaitalean species are recognised: Cordaites cf. beinertianus, C. cf. affinis, C. cf. roesslerianus, C. cf. foliolatus and Cordaites sp. A. The determination of Cordaites leaves is difficult because of the variability and similarities between several species. The biggest leaf was determined as Cordaites cf. beinertianus. The cuticles of Cordaites cf. affinis resemble the cuticles of C. palmaeformis and C. radvanicensis,
however, the latter is known only in a fragmentary state. Cordaites beinertianus and C. palmaeformis are very similar and are considered as conspecific by some authors. Cordaites affinis has generally smaller leaves. Cordaites cf. roesslerianus is comparable with C. principalis with which it is sometimes synonymised. C. cf. foliolatus is represented by a much narrower leaf than is typical for cordaitalean leaves from France. Cordaites sp. A is a relatively small leaf-form and differs from all other forms previously described.