Brachyphyllum crassum complex of fossil conifers

Abstract

The holotype of Brachyphyllum crassurn Tenison Woods, is re-examined, and this species reclassified as Araucaria crassa (Tenison Woods) com. nov.; it is probably Tertiary in age. Of shoots referred to A. crassa one belongs to the Taxodiaceae,Athrotaxus tasmnanica com. nov. also almost certainly Tertiary; while the other, Jurassic in age, is referred to Pagiophyllum feistrnanteli Halle, which is redescribed. Another group of shoots sometimes confused with A, crassa. is described as Allocladus gen. nov., with three species Al. rajmahalense (Feistmantel) com. nov. Al. milneanus (Tenison Woods) com. nov. and Al. cribbii sp. nov. The supposed cone of Al. milneanus is examined, and doubt is thrown on its ascription to Allocladus. It is renamed Conites tenison-woodsi nom. nov.