REVIEW OF THE KIMMERIDGIAN FLORA OF SUTHERLAND, SCOTLAND, WITH REFERENCE TO THE ECOLOGY AND IN-SITU POLLEN AND SPORES

The floral composition of the various localities in the Sutherland flo ra - Lothbeg Point, Crakaig Links, Kintradwell, Kilmote, Culgower and Helmsdale - is described. These plant assemblages vary from drifted pl ant beds in fully marine deposits (Lothbeg Point) to floras deposited in almost terrestrial conditions (Culgower). Moreover, data from dispe rsed cuticles from several of the localities (Lothbeg Point. Kintradwe ll and Culgower) are also described. The geological setting of the loc alities is briefly discussed and ecological implications from all thes e data are considered. A paragraph is dedicated to pollen and spores t hat have been found iii situ in these fossil assemblages or in similar taxa. All identified plant remains are assigned to five vegetation en tities, e.g. brackish saltmarsh, freshwater swamp, moist lush vegetati on. upland forest and heath. In most plant assemblages the moist lush vegetation is the best represented vegetation entity. However, there i s a small difference between (sub)autochthonous and allochthonous plan t assemblages as in the latter the moist lush component is not as impo rtant as in the former.