TIDWELL, WILLIAM D.*, LEITH S. TIDWELL, DEBRA L. MICKELSON, DAN S. CHANEY, AND AMANDA L. HANSEN. Department of Botany and Range Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder, CO 80309, Department of Paleobiology, NMNH Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. 20560. - A new flora from the Lower Permian Cedar Mesa Sandstone near Canyonlands National Park, Utah.
A new flora consisting of both compression-impressions and
petrifications occurs in the shales and sandstones of the Lower
Permian Cedar Mesa Sandstone near Canyonlands National Park,
approximately 48 km (30 miles) northwest of Monticello in southeastern
Utah. A preliminary analysis has identified among the
compression-impressions species of Calamites,
Sphenopteris, and a fertile pecopterid, that may be a new
taxon. Two species of Dadoxylon and one of Cordiaxylon,
based on its pith, have been noted among the petrified remains,
although other types of stems are likely present as well. Many of the
petrifactions are relatively large, including logs that appear to have
been washed together into a fairly large logjam. The most abundant
members of the flora are numerous pecopterid leaves, often with intact
fronds, and petrified logs. This flora constitutes one of the few
known floras of this age in the American Southwest.
Key words: Canyonlands NP, Cedar Mesa Sandstone, pecopteris, Permian, petrifactions, Southeastern Utah