Sorophores of Lygodium Sw. (Schizaeaceae) from the Late Cretaceous of New Jersey

We report here on a series of specimens of charcoalified sorophores with ch aracteristics of the extant fern genus Lygodium (Schizaeaceae) collected fr om sediments of the Raritan Formation (Late Cretaceous). Each elongate lobe d fertile pinnule (sorophore) is flattened and bears alternately arranged s porangia on one surface. Each sporangium is covered by an indusium continuo us with the margin of the lamina. Sporangia are oblong in shape, short stal ked, and have an apical annulus formed by a single ring of radiating cells that dehisces longitudinally. The 'sporangial cap' or 'distal face' is form ed by only one cell. All of these features are characteristic of the extant genus Lygodium. Small numbers of trilete, psilate spores are found in the sporangia. Megafossils assignable to Lygodium are known from the Upper Cret aceous of North America and Germany with worldwide distribution during the Tertiary. The new Lygodium fossils are compared with others previously refe rred to the genus.