Flora of the Witpoort Formation includes a mix of taxa resembling Late Devonian and Middle Devonian floras elsewhere. The most diverse plant group is Lycopsida with four species described (including herbaceous and arborescent forms), though this number will increase with description of new material. Woody plants such as cladoxyls and archaeopterids dominate certain horizons at Coombs Hill and Waterloo Farm. The association of lycopods, cladoxyls and Archaeopteris is typical of Late Devonian forest assemblages in Laurussia, but presents the first evidence of forestation in high latitude Gondwana.
Some of the herbaceous plants include Middle Devonian genera from Laurissia that, prior to collecting them, we did not know survived into the Late Devonian. The high latitude setting of the Witpoort Formation might have been protective for some primitive floras, acting as a refugium.
The described species are explored in this section:
Some of the herbaceous plants include Middle Devonian genera from Laurissia that, prior to collecting them, we did not know survived into the Late Devonian. The high latitude setting of the Witpoort Formation might have been protective for some primitive floras, acting as a refugium.
The described species are explored in this section: