Stimulated by new observations, this contribution presents a summary of the
current knowledge of different plants that grew closely associated with Ps
aronius trunks in the Early Permian petrified forest of Chemnitz (Saxony, G
ermany). The role of Psaronius tree ferns was to provide a frequently-used
substrate for colonization by other plants. The massive root mantles protec
ted different developing plants, and they may have improved the possibility
of preservation of smaller plants and plant organs in particular. These ar
e climbing axes of the fern Ankyropteris brongniartii, small epiphytes of t
he fern Tubicaulis sp., different isolated petioles of the fern Anachoropte
ris, small ?Grammatopteris axes, roots of the pteridosperm Callistophyton,
and Dadoxylon specimens representing Amyelon roots of Cordaites and conifer
stems. Further, plant-animal interactions demonstrate the role of Psaroniu
s as an ecosystem unto itself. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re
served.