Cycadophytes

Intermediary reproductive structures

Cycadophytes, which appeared in the Permian (around 265 Ma), make up a very diverse group of plants with ovules. Present day cycas resemble palm trees in terms of their general morphology, but are very different in their anatomy and reproductive structure; the latter consists of modified fertile leaves that are often grouped together in cones on distinct male and female plants.

The cycadophytes are very close relatives of the Carboniferous “ovule-bearing ferns”, like Medullosa.