Structure of Seedlike Fructifications Found in Coal Balls from Harrisburg, Illinois

Abstract

Lepidocarpon lomaxi Scott, Conostoma oblongum Williamson, Trigonocarpon pusillus Brongniart, T. parkin-soni Brongn. and Stephanospermum akenoides Brongn. are reported. The structures are interpreted as young ovules before germination, or old remains of gameto-phyte, nucellus, and seed coats (testa) after germination. An attempt is made to correlate casts and impressions with the petrified morphological material.