Collections from Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Universidade Guarulhos (UnG)and Universidade Rural do Carirí (URCA) have been examined to provide a survey of the nature of the plants preserved in the lithographic limestone of the Crato Member of the Santana Formation. The Crato Member is basal in the Santana Formation and considered to be middle Aptian in age. The depositional environment is considered to be lacustrine preserving numerous well-know invertebrates, vertebrates and ichnofossils associated with palynomorphs and megafossils. The diversity of megafossil plant remains includes several different types of plants, many of which are also found as palynomorphs in the sediment. Some small herbaceous appearing plants have roots and stems with leaves attached similar to some species of Schizoneura. Isoetes-like clusters of sporophylls and leaves are associated with a small stem and a unique vegetative fern axis with doubly compound leaves are present. One small trilobed conifer scale occurs in these sediments. More common fossils are the Gnetales such as Ephedra-like stems, some bearing leaves and some bearing bracts enclosing seeds, as well as various types of isolated leaves. The other common gnetalian fossils are Welwitschia-like winged seeds, seedlings bearing two seed-leaves and isolated young leaves. Four angiosperm leaf types are represented by one leaf each and each one having a distinct form and venation. An angiosperm follicle, several winged fruits and a cluster of three large petals are also present.

Key words: Brazil, Cretaceous-Aptian, megafossil plants, Santana Formation