This widely spread Rhaetic plant affords the best example of a post-Permian species which may be accepted as an authentic record of fossil Marattiaceae. Various generic names have been used for this species; Goeppert originally described the plant as Taeniopteris Muensteri[1030]; Schimper[1031] proposed the name Marattiopsis, and Schenk[1032] substituted Angiopteris on the ground that the fertile pinnules resemble that genus rather than Marattia. Marattiopsis, if interpreted as indicating a family resemblance rather than special affinity to the genus Marattia, would seem to be the more appropriate designation.
This species has been figured by several authors and in many instances with fertile pinnules; the best illustrations are those published by Zeiller[1033] in his monograph of Tonkin plants.
The pinnate fronds are characterised by a broad rachis bearing sessile broadly linear pinnules rounded at the base, obtusely pointed at the apex, reaching a length of 15–20 cm. and a breadth of 12–35 mm. From a well-marked midrib are given off secondary veins dichotomously branched close to their origin. The linear synangia near the ends of the veins contain two rows of sporangial compartments and open as two valves as in Marattia. (Cf. [fig. 245], A, p. 320.)
This species occurs in the Rhaetic beds of Scania, Franconia, and Tonkin. A similar type is figured by Fontaine from Jurassic beds in California as Angiopteridium californicum[1034], and Bartholin[1035] and Moeller[1036] record M. Muensteri from the Lias of Bornholm. Schenk’s species from China[1037], Angiopteris Richthofeni, is a closely allied species, and a similar form is recorded from Jurassic and Caucasian strata[1038]. The microscopical examination by Nathorst[1039] of a group of spores from a synangium of M. Muensteri shows that they resemble those of recent Marattiaceae.
•••••
From the Upper Triassic plant beds of Lunz, Stur has included several species of ferns in the Marattiaceae, and of these Krasser[1040] has recently published full diagnoses but unfortunately without illustrations. In addition to Marattiopsis marantacea (Presl) the list includes species referred to Coniopteris, to Speirocarpus, a genus founded by Stur, to Oligocarpia, Asterotheca, and Bernouillia (Heer).
As already pointed out, some at least of these Austrian ferns are more probably Osmundaceous than Marattiaceous.
Danaeopsis
Danaeopsis Hughesi, Feistmantel.
The pinnate fronds described by Feistmantel[1041] from the Middle Gondwana rocks of India and recorded from Rhaetic strata in South Africa[1042], China[1043], and Tonkin[1044], may belong to a member of the Marattiaceae, but no fertile specimens have been described. The close agreement between the sterile leaves from India and South Africa and the fertile fronds of Marattiopsis marantacea suggests generic identity.