Morphology, Growth Habit, and Ecology of Blanzyopteris praedentata (Gothan) nov. comb., a Climbing Neuropteroid Seed Fern from the Stephanian of Central France

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Abstract
We present the first description of the epidermal anatomy of the late Stephanian (Carboniferous) pteridosperm Blanzyopteris praedentata (Gothan) nov. comb. on the basis of material from central France. This species, characterized by relatively small compact fronds, has historically been assigned to the form‐genus Neuropteris. The epidermal anatomy of all parts of the sterile frond can now be documented based on large pieces of cuticle. The cuticles are well preserved, particularly the various types of trichomes. In addition to these cuticles, cuticles of specialized climbing organs with adhesive pads have been found. These structures have never been reported before for fossil plants and unequivocally demonstrate a lianalike growth habit for this species; epidermal features are considered with regard to their ecological significance. The combination of macromorphological (e.g., frond architecture) and epidermal (cell patterns, stomata, trichomes) characters is different from that reported in other neuropterids. Because of these striking differences, the species is transferred to the newly established genus Blanzyopteris.