Vojnovskyales †

Ecology & Form

Stems

• Vojnovskya paradoxa: axes 2cm wide and 13cm long

• Prominent leaf scars on the surface of the stem

Leaves

• Fan-shaped leaves of the Nephropsis type

• Venation parallel on leaves

• Flabelliform leaves from the Early Permian, resembling Nephropsis, are described as Sandrewia texana

Roots

• Unknown

Reproduction

• Fertile cones are about 3cm long and scattered along the stem

• Each cone contains both ovules and pollen organs, which is uncommon for gymnosperms

  • Seeds are attached to the basal region of the cone

  • The apical region produces structures that have been interpreted as microsporophylls 

Paravojnovskya (formerly Gaussia)

• Neuberg 1934; Doweld 2004

• Carboniferous-Early Permian from southwestern Siberia, Russia

• Umbella-like female strobili [seeds fallen], consisting of a shortened cylindrical axis of numerous (ca. 40) spirally arranged elongated seed stalks with a terminal seed scar

• The lower part of umbella sometimes might bear reduced sterile seed appendages

P. cristata (formerly Gaussia cristata)

• Neuberg 1934; Doweld 2004

• Late Carboniferous of southwestern Siberia, Russia

P. imbricata  (formerly Gaussia imbricata)

• Naugolnykh; Doweld 2004

• Early Permian of the Sverdlovsk Oblast and Perm Krai in Russia

P. scutellata (formerly Gaussia scutellata)

• Neuberg 1934; Doweld 2004

• Late Carboniferous of southwestern Siberia, Russia

Archaeopetalanthus progressus

• Naugolnykh 2020

• Middle to Upper Carboniferous of Siberia, Russia

• Bisexual reproductive organs consist of an axis of obconic shape, with narrow base and widening upper part.

• Central part/central area of upper (abaxial) surface of the axis bears numerous microsporangia producing anasulcate pollen.

• Peripheral margins of abaxial surface bear radially orientated long and narrow appendages. 

• Most of appendages sterile. 

• Some of appendages have terminal winged seeds.

• Small glands between microsporangia and basal parts of appendages