일반명 : 초기구과식물화석(fossil early conifer on a stamp)

학명 : Lebachia piniformis

지질시대 : 페름기(Permian)

지층 : Abo Formation (Wolfcampian to early Leonardian age)

원산지 : Associated Basin Fill, Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico

Early conifers looked very similar to the modern genus Araucaria in having pinnate branching systems that are arrangend in whorls. However, the cones were completely different. The morphology of the seed-bearing cones and cuticular features are important for the classification. Unfortunately, fossil conifer taxonomy is somewhat confusing because two different classification systems are currently in use and many species are not very clearly defined.

The earliest conifers are known from the middle Westphalian and by the end of the Westphalian they may be locally common. Nevertheless, they are usually very rare elements in typical Carboniferous floras. Conifers are extrabasinal or hinterland elements which typically show several adaptations for survival in drier habitats. Towards the very end of  the Carboniferous and during the Permian conifers become more common and in the Late Permian most European floras are completely dominated by conifers.

Although conifers were widespread during the latest Carboniferous and Permian, they are not well represented on the internet. We hope to change that in the near future!