Matonidium sp.

Halamski, Adam T., 2013, Latest Cretaceous leaf floras from southern Poland and western Ukraine, Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 58 (2), pp. 407-443 : 410

Matonidium sp.

Figs. 2E, 3C, E, G.

1907 Gleichenia (?) Zippei Heer; Nowak 1907a: 45–46, pl. 1: 6. 1907 Gleichenia longipennis Heer ; Nowak 1907a: 46, pl. 2: 22.

Material.—Fragmentary sterile leaves L PB−K.10 (formerly 7672), L PB−K.20[.1] (formerly 7652), both from Potelych; fragmentary fertile leaf ZPAL Pl 4/5/1, Szozdy.

Description.—The single fertile specimen ZPAL Pl 4/5/1 ( Fig. 3E) is a fragment about 11 mm long with six quite closely spaced pinnules ca. 5 mm wide, at least two of which possess recognisable sporangia. The sporangia are very small, disposed in a two single rows parallel to the midvein; there are 1–2 sporangia per mm. The rachis is ca. 0.5 mm wide.

The sterile specimen L PB−K20[.1] ( Fig. 3C) has similar shape and dimensions of the pinnules and the rachis, so it is assumed to belong to the same species. The fronds are probably palmate, composed of at least five pinnae (maximal preserved length 31 mm), although organic connection is not preserved. The pinnules are alternating, quite closely spaced, subtriangular with rounded tips, although sometimes their margins are subparallel; they measure up to 50 mm in length and up to 30 (exceptionally 35) mm in width at the base.

Remarks.—The specimen L PB−K.10 ( Fig. 3G) described by Nowak (1907a) as a separate species “ Gleichenia longipennis ” (as opposed to the more complete specimen L PBK.20.1 identified as “ Gleichenia zippei ”) differs in having more rounded pinnules. It may represent the same species under different conditions of fossilisation (pinnule margin may be curved down because of desiccation).