Produced by the Population Genetics and Evolution class, Furman University

Glossopteris
Glossopteris was a genus of woody gymnosperms that was common through out the continent of Gondwana, providing another piece of evidence for the theory of continental drift (Fossil Museum 2010). They were found in wet, swampy habitats, much like bald cypress (Fossil Museum 2010). It is speculated that Glossopteris was deciduous and resembled some of the conifers alive today; however, instead of needles they had large broad lance-shaped leaves that ranged from 2 to 100 cm in length (Wikipedia 2010). These leaves had a distinctive mid rib and reticulate venation (Encyclopedia Britannica 2010). Since very few specimens show these leaves attached to the branches, and there are a wide variety of venation patterns, classifying Glossopteris into species is difficult; as well as determining what a Glossopteris tree actually looked like (Fossil Museum 2010)! Glossopteris became one of the dominant plants during the Permian by producing seeds (Speer 1997). Pollen and ovule bearing structures were found on different leaves (Encyclopedia Britannica 2010). Seeds were produced on the underside of a leaf or in hanging clusters on other leaves, much like the ferns (Speer 1997). As such, this genus belongs to primitive group of gymnosperms sometimes called the "seed ferns".

Page by Chapin Hardy
Reconstruction of Glossopteris. Photo Credit: Science in Africa.

Encyclopedia Britannica. 2010. Glossopteris. Accessed March 15, 2010.

Fossil Museum. 2010. Detailed Permian Glossopteris Leaf. Accessed March 15, 2010

Spear BR. 1997. University of California Museum Paleontology (UCMP). Introduction to the Glossopteridales. Accessed March 15. 2010.

Wikipedia. 2010. Glossopteris. Accessed March 15, 2010.