Plants similar in size and
stature to the various Lycophyta we see today were present in the Devonian
Period.
However, there were also
large arborescent (tree-sized) lycopods present in the Carboniferous Period.
These formed a major
component of the Biosphere at this time.
Perhaps the most famous is Lepidodendron.
It was a tree that reached
over 30 meters in height.
Its base could exceed 2
meters in diameter.
The Stems were relatively
unbranched but they did dichotomize towards the summit of the trunk.
Its leaves were much longer
than those of extant species and could be as long as 80 cm!!!!!
These left a distinctive
Leaf Scar when they fell from the stem.
Ligules were present!
They had massive
Dichotomously branched Roots
They were Heterosporous.
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Leaves-1
Leaves-2
Leaves-3
Leaf Scars
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