Lower Devonian Zosterophyllum-like plants from central Victoria, Australia, and their significance

Abstract

Three specimens belonging to Zosterophyllaceae are described. Two of these possess bilateral symmetry and are the first to be described with this arrangement from the Lower Devonian of Victoria. One of these specimens is similar to Zosterophyllum fertile, and the other cf. Zosterophyllum sp. A. is unusual in possessing vascularised long stalks. The third specimen described cf. Zosterophyllum sp. B. from Ghin Ghin Road, near Yea possesses a small spike and has sporangia that appear vertically elliptical and similar to some South China taxa. All the specimens are significantly different to previous zosterophyll taxa described from Victoria.