<i>Quebradophyllum </i>Gen. Nov., An Enigmatic Plant Of Early Permian Age, New Mexico, And Similar Rare Sedimentary Structures

Abstract

Specimens resembling plant remains have been found in early Permian red beds of northern and central New Mexico. The specimens have symmetry suggestive of foliage of a previously unknown plant, possibly related to the supaioid peltasperms. This is particularly marked by the type specimen of this new taxon, which appears to be a hierarchically organized axis system: a main rachis bearing secondary rachises that branch dichotomously. Laminate surfaces were not identified. Other specimens, multiply dichotomized, which we initially interpreted as fragmentary parts of lateral appendages, are most likely fossilized rills, rare abiotically formed physical features related to water drainage pathways. These have not, however, been found at other locations in the heavily prospected Abo Formation of New Mexico, nor are they generally common in the geological record. Here we describe a new genus and species of plant and discuss the comparable sedimentary features.