The oldest stomata (Paracytic) with paired guard cells

Harlan P. Banks

doi:10.54991/jop.1976.993

Authors

Harlan P. Banks Division of Biological Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, U.S.A. 14853

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54991/jop.1976.993

Abstract

Stomata of the lycopod Drepanophycus spinaeformis were collected by Lang (1932) in Early Devonian strata of Siegenian age (390-374 million years ago). They are reinterpreted on the basis of a study of stomata from younger (Emsian, Givetian, Frasnian) collections. These plants are shown to have a paracytic stomatal apparatus. Lang therefore found the oldest example of paired guard cells and the oldest occurrence of paracytic stomata among vascular plants.

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