Question

Which one of the following Gondwana flora is a seed?

• A. Dadoxylon
• B. Cordaicarpus
• C. Taeniopteris
• D. Palaeovittaria

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The question asks about a seed from the Gondwana flora. Let's analyze each option to identify which one is related to seeds:

1. Dadoxylon: This refers to fossil wood that is typically associated with coniferous trees. It is not a seed but rather a type of fossilized wood.
2. Cordaicarpus: This is the correct answer. Cordaicarpus is known to be a type of seed from the Cordaitales, which were an order of extinct gymnosperms that lived during the late Paleozoic era. The name itself is indicative of seeds, as "-carpus" typically relates to fruits or seeds in botanical nomenclature.
3. Taeniopteris: This is a form-genus name for fossil leaves that were originally described as ferns but are now considered to be foliage from a variety of seed plants from the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras. It does not refer to seeds.
4. Palaeovittaria: This is also associated with fossil plants, typically ferns or fern-like plants from the past. It does not specifically refer to seeds.

By evaluating these options, we deduce that Cordaicarpus is the seed within the Gondwana flora mentioned in the question.

This understanding is crucial for geology or paleobotany, especially when studying the fossil records and classifications of plant life in Earth's history.