Article: In situ coniferous (taxodiaceous) tree remains in the Upper Eocene of southern England
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume:
16
Part:
1
Publication Date:
January
1973
Page(s):
205
–
217
Author(s):
K. Fowler, N. Edwards and D. W. Brett
Abstract
Coniferous tree stumps and roots attributable on evidence of wood anatomy to the form-genus Glypto-stroboxylon Conwentz occur in Upper Bartoniau (Upper Eocene) strata at two localities in the Hampshire Basin, southern England. They are the first trees found in growth position in the English Lower Tertiary. Evidence that they grew in a flooded or waterlogged habitat is given by the mode of fossilization and characteristics of the associated flora. The fossil root morphology and wood anatomy resembles that of certain living Taxodiaceae, especially Glyptostrobus and Taxodium, themselves inhabitants of waterlogged and flooded terrain. Taxodium type pollen occurs with the roots, but associated foliage and cones are attributable to Sequoia couttsiae Heer. These taxodiaceous macro-fossil remains may represent a single species with the characters of more than one living genus. Similar instances are known from Tertiary deposits elsewhere.