LOROPHYTON-GOENSE GEN ET SP-NOV FROM THE LOWER GIVETIAN OF BELGIUM AND A DISCUSSION OF THE MIDDLE DEVONIAN CLADOXYLOPSIDA

Lorophyton goense gen. et sp. nov. is described from Lower Givetian st rata at Goe (Vesdre Synclinorium, Belgium). This moderately sized plan t resembles a small tree with robust roots and a crown of branches. Th e vegetative ultimate units are three-dimensional and dichotomize prof usely. The fertile ultimate units also are three-dimensional and consi st of two parts of unequal size: in each part a pseudo-main axis termi nates with a dichotomous division and bears three dichotomously divide d laterals. Either all the segments of the fertile units terminate in a pair of pendulous elongated sporangia, or several of them remain veg etative. The cladoxylalean affinities of the plant are discussed and t he phylogeny of the Cladoxylopsida during Devonian time is considered.