A Late Dinantian Flora from Weaklaw, East Lothian, Scotland

J. Galtier, R.E. Brown, Andrew C. Scott, G.M. Rex, N.P. Rowe

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Abstract

Both compressed and permineralized plants have been collected from Upper Visean tuffs and dolomitic ashes outcropping on the foreshore at Weaklaw. The assemblage is dominated by permineralized gymnosperm remains which include woody stems, rachises and foliage; these are attributed to Bilignea solida, Eristophyotn fasciculare, Pitus withamii, Lyginorachis kingswoodense, Spathulopteris obovata, and Rhacopteris lindseaeformis. Sphenopteris cf. affinis is found as compressions. The zygopterid fern Diplolabis Renault is also recorded for the first time at this locality. The plants differ from taxa previously described from this area by Gordon including Pitus dayi, P. primaeva and P.rotunda, as well as the lycopsid Lepidodendron sp. and the ferns Botryopteris and Stauropteris which had been only briefly mentioned. It is suggested that the Weaklaw fossils sensu lato are derived from several distinct original plant communities. Comparison with the nearly contemporaneous floras from Pettycur, East Kirton, Loch Humphrey Burn, Esnost and Roannais indicates that similar plant communities, dominated either by lycopods and/or ferns or by gymnosperms, existed within these volcanic areas.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationStudies in Palaeobotany and Palynology in Honour of Professor W.G. Chaloner F.R.S.
EditorsM.E. Collinson, A.C. Scott
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherPalaeontological Association
Pages57-73
Number of pages17
Edition49
ISBN (Print)0901702501
Publication statusPublished - 1993

Publication series

NameSpecial papers in palaeontology
PublisherPalaeontological Association
Number49

Keywords

  • Flora
  • Upper Visean
  • Dinantian
  • lycopods
  • ferns
  • gymnosperms
  • Weaklaw
  • Scotland

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