Cordaitales: Difference between revisions
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'''Cordaitales''' are an extinct order of woody plants that may have been early [[conifer]]s, or which may have given rise to the conifers ([[Pinophyta]]), ginkgos ([[Ginkgophyta]]) and cycads ([[Cycadophyta]]). They had cone-like reproductive structures reminiscent of those of modern conifers. The Cordaitales appeared during the [[Carboniferous]] Period forming large trees that seem to have been particularly abundant on drier ground, in tropical environments. Also, some tall trees but also shrubby and [[mangrove]]-like species of Cordaitales seem to have grown in the [[Carboniferous]] coal swamps. Cordaitales were also abundant during the [[Permian]], but became less important during the [[Triassic]] and died out during the time of the [[Triassic-Jurassic extinction event|end-Triassic mass extinction]]. Many Cordaitales had elongated strap-like leaves, resembling some modern-day conifers of the [[Araucariaceae]] and [[Podocarpaceae]]. Common genera from the Carboniferous include ''[[Mesoxylon]]'' and ''[[Cordaixylon]]''. Other genera are ''[[Noeggerathiopsis]]'' and ''[[Sumaropsis]]''. |
'''Cordaitales''' are an extinct order of woody plants that may have been early [[conifer]]s, or which may have given rise to the conifers ([[Pinophyta]]), ginkgos ([[Ginkgophyta]]) and cycads ([[Cycadophyta]]). They had cone-like reproductive structures reminiscent of those of modern conifers. The Cordaitales appeared during the [[Carboniferous]] Period forming large trees that seem to have been particularly abundant on drier ground, in tropical environments. Also, some tall trees but also shrubby and [[mangrove]]-like species of Cordaitales seem to have grown in the [[Carboniferous]] coal swamps. Cordaitales were also abundant during the [[Permian]], but became less important during the [[Triassic]] and died out during the time of the [[Triassic-Jurassic extinction event|end-Triassic mass extinction]]. Many Cordaitales had elongated strap-like leaves, resembling some modern-day conifers of the [[Araucariaceae]] and [[Podocarpaceae]]. Common genera from the Carboniferous include ''[[Mesoxylon]]'' and ''[[Cordaixylon]]''. Other genera are ''[[Noeggerathiopsis]]'' and ''[[Sumaropsis]]''. |
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Features of the female cone [[megastrobilus]] of the members of Cordaitales indicate that the cone scales, possessed by themselves and their descendants, may correspond to short [[shoot]]s, rather than leaves. This is because the cone consists of these short shoots, emerging from [[bract]]s. Among conifers, a leaf of any kind does not emerge from the [[axil]] of a bract.<ref>Eckenwalder, James E. (2009). ''Conifers of the World: the complete reference.'' Portland: Timber Press, Inc. p. 55. ISBN 0881929744.</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 22:53, 10 August 2019
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| Cordaitales | |
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| Cordaites lungatus | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnospermae |
| Division: | Pinophyta |
| Class: | Pinopsida |
| Order: | †Cordaitales |
| Families | |
Cordaitales are an extinct order of woody plants that may have been early conifers, or which may have given rise to the conifers (Pinophyta), ginkgos (Ginkgophyta) and cycads (Cycadophyta). They had cone-like reproductive structures reminiscent of those of modern conifers. The Cordaitales appeared during the Carboniferous Period forming large trees that seem to have been particularly abundant on drier ground, in tropical environments. Also, some tall trees but also shrubby and mangrove-like species of Cordaitales seem to have grown in the Carboniferous coal swamps. Cordaitales were also abundant during the Permian, but became less important during the Triassic and died out during the time of the end-Triassic mass extinction. Many Cordaitales had elongated strap-like leaves, resembling some modern-day conifers of the Araucariaceae and Podocarpaceae. Common genera from the Carboniferous include Mesoxylon and Cordaixylon. Other genera are Noeggerathiopsis and Sumaropsis.
Features of the female cone megastrobilus of the members of Cordaitales indicate that the cone scales, possessed by themselves and their descendants, may correspond to short shoots, rather than leaves. This is because the cone consists of these short shoots, emerging from bracts. Among conifers, a leaf of any kind does not emerge from the axil of a bract.[1]
References
- ^ Eckenwalder, James E. (2009). Conifers of the World: the complete reference. Portland: Timber Press, Inc. p. 55. ISBN 0881929744.
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