On Pachypteris pinnata (Walkom) from Tasmania

Abstract

Material from the Rhaetian of Tasmania referred to Thinnfeldia pinnata Walkom is described. The leaf is of thick substance, once pinnate, and probably abscissed. It shows a moderately thick cuticle with most stomata on the lower leaf surface, papil1ae over the stomatal pit, an unmodified leaf margin, and irregular subsidiary cells. With this information the leaf fits better in Pachypteris Brongniart than Thinnjeldia Ettingshausen, and is transferred to Pachypteris. It is readily distinguishable from other adequately known species of the genus.