Archaeopteris - seed fern genus which could grow to a size of a large tree and operate similarly too. It wasn't a fern but shared a distant ancestor with them. They are thought to contribute severely to the Late Devonian and Carbonifenous climate change with their CO2 absorbing abilities. Its wood fragments were thought to be a separate genus and thus was called Callixylon. It used spores to populate, instead of seeds. Actual genus here.
Anatomy[]
Despite having a tree-like trunk, the branches largely retain the same previous fern-like structures which Archaeopteris ancestors. Unlike developing rings of offshoots containing ferns, Archaeopteris was able to develop dichotomous branching which allowed them to change from a cycad/palm-like appearance into a once that resembled a conifer. Some of Archaeopteris species could produce two types of spores (known as heterosporous reproduction). The smaller spore needed to locate and join together with the larger type of spore to form a growing structure. This is thought to represent the origin of the plants which have pollen and seeds.
Growth[]
Archaeopteris grew mainly to be able to receive as much sunlight as possible and was notably sensitive to weather conditions such as increased amount of clouds or winds bending the leaves in direction that would cause them to receive less Sun. As it was starting out, Archaeopteris had to face factors such as predation from the lower floor arthropods as well as the abundance of water caused by flooding. Due to this, younger Archaeopteris may have had a stem which was more similar to semi-aquatic plants, only to swap it with a more arboreal one upon being able to grow past the water surface. Young Archaeopteris also grew out its roots quicker, since it was essential for it to not be carried away by the water.
Ecological niche[]
Archaeopteris was mainly used by light animals as spots for scouting, hunting or a spot from which to glide or fly. The old branches and bark fragments were dropped which was useful for the gradual forming of a fertile soil. Lots of younger individuals from the genus formed the denser underbrush for the local animals to hide, but this underbrush was more common in areas where the older individuals along with other longer plants weren't obscuring the sunlight.
Geographical distribution[]
Archaeopteris structure was light and stabilized enough to allow it to grow in a damp soil. Archaeopteris would grow in river basins and flooded areas, a lifestyle which necessitates a further development of a stronger and more widespread root system underground. Much like on the actual Earth, Archaeopteris were widespread and most often found over habitable areas during Late Devonian but on the Amphitin Earth it started facing diversification earlier due to different factors starting to affect the territories it was growing in.