Calamopityales †

Ecology & Form

Stems

Morphology

• Slender stems, 2-3 cm wide (Calamopitys)

Anatomy

• Protostelic to eustelic; central pith and primary xylem strands; xylem mesarch

• Stenomylon: Three-lobed protostele

  • Well-developed hypodermal tissue with radiating fibrous strand

• Bifacial cambium; manoxylic wood 

Leaves

• Stem and leaf anatomy are not distinct

• Leaf traces are embedded in cortex

• Outer cortex consists of radiating sclerenchymatous bands with parenchymatous intercalations known as Sparganum cortex

• Few morphological fossils found, but it has been suggested that Sphenopteridium may belong to Stenomylon (Long 1964)

• Petiole may be similar to Diplopteridium

Reproduction

• No seeds or pollen organs found