Modified axillary branching in species of the fossil genus Frenelopsis: a new phenomenon among conifers |
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Authors: | K. L. ALVIN F.L.S., A. HLU TÍ K |
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Affiliation: | Department of Botany and Plant Technology, Imperial College of Science and Technology, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2AZ;Department of Geology and Palaeontology, Moravian Museum, Ndmesti25. mora 6,65937 Brno, Czechoslavakia. |
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Abstract: | Shoots of the fossil species Frenelopsis alata (K. Feistmantel) Knobloch (Cheirolopidiaceae) from the Cenomanian of Bohemia and Portugal demonstrate a type of branching not hitherto reported among conifers. It has been interpreted as a modification of conventional axillary branching on the basis of detailed observations on external morphology with the help of comparative studies on living species of the family Cupressaceae (e.g., Callitris species) and other fossils of frenelopsid affinity. The probable nature of the growth pattern of the shoot is discussed. |
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