Aculea
| Aculea Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Genus: | †Aculea |
Aculea is an extinct genus of ferns known from the Cretaceous period, primarily identified through fossil records in places like Antarctica and Australia.[1][2] It includes species such as Aculea acicularis, which formed upright thickets with fronds arising from subterranean rhizomes, often in environments dominated by araucarian trees and other large plants.[1]
Description
Fossil evidence suggests that individual plants could grow into dense thickets reaching up to 80 cm in height. The fronds were slender and rigid, bearing narrow, acicular (needle-like) pinnae. This morphology likely provided structural support in open or patchy forest environments.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Cantrill, David J. (1996-04-01). "Fern thickets from the Cretaceous of Alexander Island, Antarctica containing Alamatus bifarius Douglas and Aculea acicularis sp. nov". Cretaceous Research. 17 (2): 169–182. doi:10.1006/cres.1996.0013. ISSN 0195-6671.
- ^ DOUGLAS, J.G. (1973). "The Mesozoic Floras of Victoria, Part 3". Geological Survey of Victoria.