Leafy branches of Bothrodendron punctatum from the Westphalian D (Asturian) of Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract

Specimens belonging to the lycopsid genus Bothrodendron are identified by distinctive shoots that have small superficial leaf scars. The species are distinguished on the basis of leaf scar shape and ornamentation on their stem surfaces. Of the two Pennsylvanian (upper Carboniferous) species, Bothrodendron minutifolium has been found several times with leafy shoots attached, but Bothrodendron punctatum has, until now, only been found as large leafless stems. The leafy specimen of Bothrodendron punctatum described here from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, is therefore the first of its kind to be found and reveals further evidence of the growth patterns and branch shedding of these relatively rare lycopsids.