PALAEOBOTANICAL RESEARCH GROUP UNIVERSITY  MÜNSTER

Early conifers looked very similar to the modern genus Araucaria in having pinnate branching systems that are arrangend in whorls. However, the cones were completely different. The morphology of the seed-bearing cones and cuticular features are important for the classification. Unfortunately, fossil conifer taxonomy is somewhat confusing because two different classification systems are currently in use and many species are not very clearly defined.

The earliest conifers are known from the middle Westphalian and by the end of the Westphalian they may be locally common. Nevertheless, they are usually very rare elements in typical Carboniferous floras. Conifers are extrabasinal or hinterland elements which typically show several adaptations for survival in drier habitats. Towards the very end of  the Carboniferous and during the Permian conifers become more common and in the Late Permian most European floras are completely dominated by conifers.

Although conifers were widespread during the latest Carboniferous and Permian, they are not well represented on the internet. We hope to change that in the near future!

Taxon / Subject	Web Source	Comments	Pics	Info
According to the "Utrecht classification system" that is normally used in Europe, three different categories of genera can be distinguished: (1) natural genera based on reconstructed plants, (2) genera assignable to a family because of their unique morphology (cone structure and/or cuticular features), and (3) pure form-genera.  The names recpectively links listed below all refer to names as given by those who put these pictures on the internet.  It should be realised that some of these names need to be reconsidered.  Unfortunatelym virtually all pictures show sterile foliage.
Lebachia	Virtual Paleobotany Laboratory
Walchia piniformis	Virtual Paleobotany Laboratory
Walchia piniformis	Kathleen Pigg's "Plant Fossils and Evolution"
Walchia	Emporia State University, KS
Walchia	R.A. Gastaldo, Colby College
Walchia	Ohio University	limonitized twig
Walchia	Fossiliensammlung
Walchia	Fossiliensammlung
Walchia	Humboldt State Univ.
Lebachia speciosa	Senckenberg	fossil conifer on a stamp
Ernestiodendron filiciforme	Hans' (Steur) Paleobotany Pages
Otovicia hypnoides	Hans' (Steur) Paleobotany Pages
Cassinisia orobica	Paläobotanik Münster	three-dimensionally preserved specimen	have a look !!!
Cassinisia orobica	Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Morbegno
Cassinisia orobica	Museo Civico di Storia Naturale Morbegno
Pseudovoltzia liebeana	Paläobotanik Münster	cuticle	have a look !!!
Majonica alpina, Dolomitia cittertiae	Paläobotanik Münster	cuticles	have a look !!!

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