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Lepidodendron.
| Lepidodendron Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Lycophytes |
| Class: | Lycopodiopsida |
| Order: | †Lepidodendrales |
What is a Lepidodendron fossil?
Lepidodendron fossils. Lepidodendron, also known as “scale tree”, is an extinct prehistoric tree which was one of the most abundant trees of the Carboniferous period. It lived in some of the wettest parts of the prehistoric coal swamps and commonly grew in dense stands.
Are hyphae present in Lepidodendron trees?
Hyphae are occasionally present in the tissues of Lepidodendron trees, indicating a possible susceptibility to fungal parasites or the presence of mycorrhizal associations. Different fossil genera have been described to name the various levels of decay in Lepidodendron bark fossils.
Are there different levels of decay in Lepidodendron bark fossils?
Different fossil genera have been described to name the various levels of decay in Lepidodendron bark fossils.
Do Lepidodendron trees produce secondary xylem?
Though the bifacial cambium of modern trees produces both secondary phloem and xylem, the unifacial cambium of Lepidodendron trees produced only secondary xylem. As the trees aged, the wood produced by the unifacial cambium decreased towards the top of the plant such that terminal twigs resembled young Lepidodendron stems.
Where can Lepidodendron be found?
Lepidodendron, also known as “scale tree”, is an extinct prehistoric tree which was one of the most abundant trees of the Carboniferous period. It lived in some of the wettest parts of the prehistoric coal swamps and commonly grew in dense stands.
When did Lepidodendron go extinct?
approximately 300 million years agoLepidodendron, much like the Sigillaria, went extinct approximately 300 million years ago.
What did Lepidodendron look like?
A dark brown rock with scale like ridges stands out on a light tan rock. The scales are distinct and large. Part of a series of articles titled Phenomenal Science.
What part of the plant do the Lepidodendron represent?
Lepidodendron is the name (= form-genus) for impressions of the outer bark of large arborescent lycophytes.
How old is the Lepidodendron?
about 359 million to 299 million years agoLepidodendron, extinct genus of tree-sized lycopsid plants that lived during the Carboniferous Period (about 359 million to 299 million years ago).
What are the 5 most endangered plants?
5 Endangered Species Of Plants In IndiaMalabar Mahogany. This tree is known for its durable wood which has led to a surge in demand and thus is cultivated to add on to the growing consumption of lumber.Musli. ... Red Sandalwood. ... Assam Catkin Yew. ... Ebony.
Which type of fossil is Lepidodendron?
Lepidodendron is one of the more common plant fossils found in Pennsylvanian-age (Late Carboniferous) rocks. They are closely related to other extinct lycopsid genera, Sigillaria and Lepidendropsis.
Who discovered Lepidodendron?
The plant was initially known from two specimens described by Renault (1879) and Michael (1895). Based exclusively on the external characters, these two authors suggested lepidodendroid affinities and named the plant Lepidodendron and Knorria, respectively.
What is the scientific name of Lepidodendron?
LepidodendronLepidodendron / Scientific name
Why did scale trees go extinct?
By the end of the Carboniferous, Earth had dipped into an ice age. Earth's new climate regime appeared to be too much for the scale trees to handle and they were driven to extinction.
Are Lepidodendron angiosperms?
Lepidodendron was a lycopod, not an angiosperm - like an oak tree nor a gymnosperm - like a conifer tree.
Where trees and are the best known fossil lycopods?
These were plants that grew on the Catskill delta, to the east, in western Pennsylvania, and drifted out into the sea in which the Ohio Shale was deposited. Remains of lycopods are sometimes found in marine rocks of Mississippian age but they are not common.
When did Sigillaria go extinct?
around 383 million years agoSigillaria is an extinct tree Fossil records indicate that Sigillaria evolved during the Late Carboniferous period, but eventually went extinct during the Permian period. In total, the tree existed for around 100 million years, but went extinct around 383 million years ago.
Why did silphium go extinct?
Extinction explanation It only grew in a narrow strip of land along the coast of North Africa and farmers were unable to cultivate it. Due to the overwhelming demand for silphium, its numbers rapidly dwindled, and by the 2nd century BC, the plant was considered extinct.
Why did scale trees go extinct?
By the end of the Carboniferous, Earth had dipped into an ice age. Earth's new climate regime appeared to be too much for the scale trees to handle and they were driven to extinction.
Who discovered Lepidodendron?
The plant was initially known from two specimens described by Renault (1879) and Michael (1895). Based exclusively on the external characters, these two authors suggested lepidodendroid affinities and named the plant Lepidodendron and Knorria, respectively.
How big is a lepidodendron?
Lepidodendron and its relatives—Lepidophloios, Bothrodendron, and Paralycopodites—were related to modern club mosses. They grew up to 40 metres (130. Lepidodendron, extinct genus of tree-sized lycopsid plants that lived during the Carboniferous Period (about 359 million to 299 million years ago).
Do lepidophloios grow in tissue?
Lepidophloioswrapped its megasporangium in a layer of tissue much like that of the seedplants. This feature, however, was independently derived in the lycopsid lineage. In some genera, spore-bearing coneswere produced at the tips of branches, suggesting that the plants could reproduce only once in their lifetime.
What is a lepidodendron?
Lepidodendron is an extinct genus of primitive, vascular, tree-like plants, also known as scale trees, related to the quillworts and lycopsids (club mosses). They were part of the coal forest flora. They sometimes reached heights of 50 metres (160 feet), and the trunks were often over 1 m (3.3 ft) in diameter. They thrived during the Carboniferous Period (about 359.2 ± 2.5 Mya ( million years ago) and were found until the Late Triassic, about 205 Mya) before going extinct. Sometimes erroneously called "giant club mosses", the genus was actually more closely related to modern quillworts than to modern club mosses.
How long does a lepidodendron tree live?
Lepidodendron species had a life cycle of 10 to 15 years composed of a growth cycle, in which the trees grew to a predetermined height, and a subsequent reproductive cycle, in which the trees produced reproductive organs, after which the trees died, similar to the life cycle of a Mauna Kea silversword.
What is the name of the stems that have lost their epidermises?
The name Bergeria describes stems that have lost their epidermises, Aspidiariu is used when cushions have been removed by deep decay, and Knorria is used when the leaf cushions and the majority of cortical tissues has decayed, with a shallow "fluted" surface remaining.
What were the giant lycopsids replaced by?
By the Mesozoic era, the giant lycopsids had died out and were replaced by conifers as well as smaller quillworts. This may have been the result of competition from the emerging woody gymnosperms. Lepidodendron is one of the more common plant fossils found in Pennsylvanian -age ( Late Carboniferous) rocks. They are closely related to other extinct lycopsid genera, Sigillaria and Lepidendropsis .
Where are hyphes found?
Hyphae are occasionally present in the tissues of Lepidodendron trees, indicating a susceptibility to fungal parasites.
Where did the name Lepidodendron come from?
The name Lepidodendron comes from the Greek λεπίς lepis, scale, and δένδρον dendron, tree.
How big are leaf cushions?
The leaf-cushions were fusiform and elongated, growing at most to a length of 8 cm (3.1 in) and a width of 2 cm (0.79 in). The middle of leaf-cushions were smooth, where leaf scars were created when an abscission layer cut a leaf from its base.
What is a lepidodendrale?
Lepidodendrales (Devonian to Permian): large arborescent (tree-like) forms with stigmarian rooting sustems. Families: Lepidodendraceae, Diaphorodendraceae and Sigillariaceae
Is a lepidodendron an angiosperm?
Lepidodendron was a lycopod, not an angiosperm - like an oak tree nor a gymnosperm - like a conifer tree. (See Fig. 2). Those modern plants evolved much later than the lycopods and are very familiar to us, but they have very little in common with these Carboniferous plants whose internal structure, roots, reproductive system and even their leaves evolved in a different way from modern trees. This means that when we describe the features of lycopods we should use a different set of names for what look like familiar features. [See Lepidodendron Morphology button above.]
How tall is a lepidodendron?
Lepidodendron was primitive, vascular and absorbent and was related to modern day club mosses. It could grow to a height of over 180 feet (54 metres) and its trunk was often over 6 feet, or 1.8 metres in diameter. Its trunk produced little wood, and was composed instead of mostly soft tissues.
How long did the Lepidodendron live?
By the end of the Mesozoic era, this fascinating plant had unfortunately died out. Lepidodendron likely grew rapidly and only lived about 10 to 15 years. It is believed that it only reproduced once close to the end of its lifetime. It did not produce true seeds, but instead reproduced by elaborate, encapsulated spores.
Scientific Classification
My daughter found this Lepidodendron specimen during a quick expedition to explore exposed shale along a steep roadside hill. It was lying alongside the road on a raised dirt pile on top of the soil. Logically, I believe this piece was unearthed while PennDot was making road repairs. This piece is from the neighboring Gilpin Township Locality.
A Tall Late Carboniferous Tree
Lepidodendron was able to reach great heights, with specimens observed to be over 100 feet tall with trunks over 3.3 feet in diameter. Unlike most trees today, this tree reproduced using spores. Having a short 10-15 year life cycle, they would obtain a great size and quickly fall upon death.
The Fossil Matrix
This is not the first example of Lepidodendron I have found. Unfortunately, the previous one was embedded in softer shale. The scale appearance of the bark was well eroded and not easy to examine. This piece set in sandstone is exceptional and my finest example.
Overview
Distribution
The lack of growth rings and of dormant buds indicate no seasonal growth patterns and modern plants with similar characteristics tend to grow in tropical conditions, but Lepidodendron species were distributed throughout subtropical conditions. The trees inhabited an extensive area compared to tropical flora of the same time period, with trees growing as far north as Spitsbergen and as far south as South America, in a latitudinal range of 120°.
Etymology
The name Lepidodendron comes from the Greek λεπίς lepis, scale, and δένδρον dendron, tree.
Growth
During the early stages of growth, arborescent lycophytes such as Lepidodendron grew as single, unbranched trunks, with leaves growing out of the scale leaf bases (cushions). Towards the end of the trees growth, the leaves on the lower part of the trunk were shed, and in Lepidodendron, the upper part of the trunk dichotomously branched into a crown.
Description and biology
Lepidodendron species were comparable in size to modern trees. The plants had tapering trunks as wide as 2 m (6.6 ft) at their base that rose to about 40 m (130 ft) and even 50 m (160 ft), arising from an underground system of horizontally spreading branches that were covered with many rootlets. Though the height of the trees make the plants similar to modern trees, the constant dichotomy of branches created a habit that contrasts with that of modern trees. At the e…
Reproduction
Lepidodendron species had a life cycle of 10 to 15 years composed of a growth cycle, in which the trees grew to a predetermined height, and a subsequent reproductive cycle, in which the trees produced reproductive organs, after which the trees died, similar to the life cycle of a Mauna Kea silversword.
Rather than reproduce with seeds, Lepidodendron trees reproduced with spores. The spores wer…
Decline and extinction
By the Mesozoic era, the giant lycopsids had died out and were replaced by conifers as well as smaller quillworts. This may have been the result of competition from the emerging woody gymnosperms. Lepidodendron is one of the more common plant fossils found in Pennsylvanian-age (Late Carboniferous) rocks. They are closely related to other extinct lycopsid genera, Sigillaria and Lepidendropsis.
See also
• Archaeopteris
• Evolutionary history of plants
• Fossil Grove
• Glossopteris
• Stigmaria