Coniferophyta

Kustatscher, Evelyn, Scanu, Giovanni G., Kvaček, Jiří & Van Konijnenburg-Van Cittert, Johanna H. A., 2016, The Krasser Collection In The Faculty Of Sciences, Charles University, Prague - New Insights Into The Middle Jurassic Flora Of Sardinia, Fossil Imprint 72 (3 - 4), pp. 140-154 : 142-143

Coniferophyta

The conifers are among the most abundant groups in this plant assemblage. Geinitzia divaricata (BUNBURY) HARRIS, 1979 is one of the most common taxa (Pl. 3, Figs 1, 7). The shoot fragments (Lov. B 3.2, 5, 10, 12, 15, 17, 22.1–2, 28.1–4, 30.1–2, 35.1, 37, 55, 81, 92.1–3, 109) are up to 40 mm long and 30 mm wide, with an axis of 1–2 mm width. Lateral shoots arise alternately at acute angles. Leaves are helically arranged, arch outward at a wide angle (70–90°), and are attached by their entire base. They are falcate, with only one vein and a pointed or slightly rounded apex. They are 2–5 mm long and 0.5–2 mm wide. Krasser (1920: 18) attributed the specimens to Cheirolepis setosus (PHILLIPS) SEWARD, 1900 , whereas Edwards (1929) assigned them to Cryptomerites divaricatus BUNBURY, 1851 .

Elatides williamsonii (LINDLEY et HUTTON) NATHORST, 1897 is also common (Pl. 3, Figs 5, 9); it is characterized by elongated leaves of 5–8 mm length and 1–2 mm width, arranged in a loose helix (Lov. B 14.1–2, 17.1–2, 27.1–2, 28.2–3, 29, 51.2, 72.1–3, 78, 90, 94, 107.2, 122.1–3, 127.6, B, C1–5). Krasser (1920: 18) identified this species as Pagiophyllum williamsonii (BRONGNIART) SEWARD, 1900 . Two specimens (Lov B 9, 127.9) with linear leaves are identified as Elatocladus sp. Several shoot fragments with broad, leathery leaves are assigned to Brachyphyllum sp. (Lov. B 56, 58), and other shoot fragments with very small (<5 mm long, 1 mm wide) leaves to Pagiophyllum sp. (Lov. B 75.1–2, 99, 124, 126, 127.1–2, 127.5, 127.7–9) (Pl. 3, Fig. 8).

The wood fragment (Lov. B 128), labelled as Dadoxylon sp. might belong to Agathoxylon GREGUSS, 1952 . Krasser (1920: 20) established Araucarites sardinicus (KRASSER) KRASSER, 1920 (formerly Cycadeospermum sardinicum ) for sub-triangular ovuliferous scales (Lov. B 50, 50.1–2, 55, 56, 57.1–2), each with a large single seed (Pl. 3, Figs 2–3). The scales are 20–25 mm long and 20–22 mm wide, with a central depression or seed of 15–17 × 10–12 mm. The ovuliferous cones (Lov. B 127.8, B) are too fragmentary for determination. Fragments resembling pine-like leaves, with a transversely wrinkled lamina (Lov. B 89, 91) were ascribed by Krasser (1920: 19) to Pityophyllum nordenskioldii (HEER) SEWARD, 1919 ; unfortunately, no cuticle is preserved to confirm this attribution.