Fossil Climber Vine Mariopteris Sauveuri

This is a detailed specimen of the climber vine, Mariopteris sauveuri from the Upper Silesia Coal Basin of Poland.

Marioptris was a seed fern with relatively small compact fronds which are bifurcated twice. Although it is clear that most mariopterids are seed ferns, their natural affinity remains unclear. Mariopterids obviously had a climbing growth habit. This species, like other mariopteroids, had a vine like growth habit and climbed with specialized climber hooks.