The oldest vascular land plants: A note of caution
Abstract
The oldest fossil proven to be a vascular land plant is Cooksonia, from the Pridolian Stage of the Silurian Period in Wales. Microfossils macerated out of older Silurian strata, such as sheets of cuticle, "tubes" usually called tracheid-like elements or even plant tracheids, and spores with a resistant exine and a trilete mark, have been used to suggest the occurrence of vascular plants prior to the Pridolian. It is pointed out that these microfossils may originate from algae, bryophytes, or groups now extinct or from animals. Hence they alone cannot demonstrate older vascular plants. The microfossils need extensive comparative study on a world-wide basis.
- Publication:
-
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology
- Pub Date:
- 1975
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0034-6667(75)90004-4
- Bibcode:
- 1975RPaPa..20...13B