Aphlebia hvistendahliae sp. nov. from the early Permian Wuda Tuff Flora, Inner Mongolia

Aphlebia hvistendahliae Wang, Wan et Pfefferkorn sp. nov. is described from the early Permian peat-forming flora preserved in volcanic tuff near Wuda, Inner Mongolia. The new species is characterized by its pinnate lamina, stiff and sharply pointed shape, and the presence of densely spaced, stalked, scale-like trichomes on the edges and surfaces of various orders of lateral segments. The scale-like trichomes could be evidence that this species of Aphlebia Presl functioned as a cover of a juvenile frond protecting it from water loss and herbivores. Moreover, the Aphlebia might have been retained in an extended position in another function as a water-collecting organ. The close association of this new species with Pecopteris cf. norinii Halle suggests that it may have belonged to the same parent plant, probably a marattialean fern.