CUTICLES OF LESCUROPTERIS-GENUINA FROM THE STEPHANIAN (UPPER CARBONIFEROUS) OF CENTRAL FRANCE - EVIDENCE FOR A CLIMBING GROWTH HABIT

This paper provides the first description of the cuticles of Lescuropt eris genuina, a pteridosperm from the Upper Stephanian of the Blanzy-M ontceau Basin, Central France. The status of dhe genus Lescuropteris, which is often compared with Odontopteris, is discussed. However, cuti cles seem to justify a separate status. Of special interest is the dis covery of a modified pinna terminal with well developed tendrils, prov iding evidence that L. genuina had a climbing growth habit. The ecolog y of L. genuina is discussed on the basis of new information on the ep idermal anatomy. (C) 1997 The Linnean Society of London.