Pleurorhizoxylon yixingense gen. et sp. nov., a Euphyllophyte Axis with Anatomically Preserved Adventitious Roots from the Late Devonian of South China

Premise of research. Rooting structures were major contributors to Devonian global change, but anatomically preserved plant roots are rare from this period. We report a new type of plant axis from the Upper Devonian strata of South China that contains a protostele, relatively extensive secondary xylem, and adventitious root traces. Methodology. The original specimens were fragmentary coalified axes, most of which were embedded in Epon resin, sectioned transversely and longitudinally, and ground into thin sections. The sections were observed and imaged with a light microscope. A few were observed directly with a scanning electron microscope. Pivotal results. The axis of this new plant, named Pleurorhizoxylon gen. nov., consists of a three-ribbed protostele and thick secondary xylem; the primary xylem is of apparent mesarch maturation, with a single protoxylem lacuna near the end of each rib. The secondary xylem has variable rays composed of parenchyma cells and has scalariform to elliptical bordered pits on both radial and tangential walls of the tracheids. The adventitious root traces are located opposite each primary xylem rib going through the wood; they are accompanied by large rays and cause significant accommodation (knotting) in the wood. Extraxylary portions are poorly preserved, and no cambium or secondary phloem has been found. Conclusions. The new plant has a unique combination of characters and demonstrates the anatomical basis for adventitious root growth present in a Devonian moniliform plant, other than cladoxylopsids, for the first time