Early Cretaceous macrofloras 
41 
Araucaria sp. B 
Figures 7H; 8A-C,F 
1993 Araucaria sp. B; McLoughlin and Guppy; 
figure 26. 
Material 
WAM P.89.188, WAM P.89.189, WAM P.89.190, 
WAM P.90.1, WAM P.90.3, WAM P.96.14. 
Distribution 
Broome Sandstone (Neocomian-Barremian), 
Canning Basin. 
Description 
Axes slender to robust (2-9 mm wide, reaching 
at least 70 mm long) bearing spirally arranged, 
broadly rhomboid, scale-like leaves (Figures 7H, 
8F). Axes linear or variably curved, giving off 
lateral branches at irregular intervals (Figures 
8B,C). Leaves squat, remaining attached and 
adnate to axis, basally contiguous forming a 
rhomboid, pentagonal or hexagonal pattern on axis 
impressions (Figures 8A,C). Leaves attached to axis 
by broad base, apex contracted to a short (<0.5 
mm) spine. Variations in the average basal width 
of leaves occurs along some axes reflecting 
seasonal growth. Leaves most often apically 
compressed, apparently fleshy or leathery in 
original state, venation indistinct. When laterally 
compressed, leaves slightly overlap bases of those 
in succeeding spiral. 
Comments 
Numerous Australian Mesozoic axes bearing 
rhomboid leaves, and often assigned to 
Brachyphyllum or Allocladus species (e.g., Seward 
1904; Chapman 1904; Walkom 1917b, 1919a, 1921a, 
1928; Medwell 1954a; Hill el al. 1966; Townrow 
1967; White 1961a, 1981), may belong to the 
Araucariaceae, Podocarpaceae, Taxodiaceae, 
Cupressaceae, or Cheirolepidaceae. In this 
instance, association with araucarian cone scales 
favours an araucarian affinity, however, further 
morphological details and attached fertile material 
will be needed to clearly establish the affinities of 
Araucaria sp. B. 
Brachyphyllum rhombicum Feistmantel of Sahni 
(1928) is closely comparable to Araucaria sp. B 
whereas his B. mamillare Brongniart has more 
elongate rhomboid leaves. The Early Cretaceous 
Indian Brachyphyllum bansaensis and B. eikaiostomum 
of Sukh-Dev and Bose (1974) are differentiated on 
epidermal/cuticular details but are otherwise 
difficult to distinguish from Araucaria sp. B. Baksi's 
(1968) Brachyphyllum rhombicum (Lindley and 
Hutton) Sahni is also very similar but its leaves are 
more axially elongate. The South African Araucaria 
rogersii (Seward) Anderson and Anderson, 1985 has 
spirally arranged rhomboid leaves similar to those 
of Araucaria sp. B. However, closer comparison is 
not possible owing to the lack of cuticular details 
or pollenate cones associated with the Western 
Australian material. 
Araucaria sp. C 
Figure 8E 
Material 
WAM P.88.16. 
Distribution 
Broome Sandstone (Neocomian-Barremian), 
Canning Basin. 
Description 
Robust bifurcate axis clothed in spirally 
arranged?, flattened, lanceolate or linear leaves 
(Figure 8E). Length from base to bifurcation 14 cm, 
terminal branches both 8 cm long. Maximum width 
of axis 20 mm. Leaves reaching 4 mm wide, 30 mm 
long, smooth or with indistinct longitudinal striae, 
possibly contracted slightly at base, apices pointed 
acute. Detached leaf imprints on same slab reach 5 
mm wide, 60 mm long. 
Comments 
The available specimen is too poorly preserved 
for close comparison to other illustrated material. 
It probably represents an araucarian conifer branch 
bearing dense, flattened, spirally arranged, 
lanceolate to linear leaves similar to the modem 
Australian Bunya Pine ( Araucaria bidwilli Hooker, 
1843). The leaves and branched axis of Araucaria 
sp. C are much more robust than the other species 
of Araucaria described from the Broome Sandstone. 
Araucarian cones 
Figure 8D 
Material 
WAM P.89.185, WAM P.89.187. 
Distribution 
Broome Sandstone (Neocomian-Barremian), 
Canning Basin. 
Description 
Two cone impressions available, both c. 5 x 4 cm, 
longitudinally elliptical in outline (Figure 8D). 
Cones feature >15 transverse ridges (on casts) 
marking positions of closely spaced cone scale 
spirals (ridges 1.5 mm apart). Individual cone 
scales poorly differentiated, apices extended as 6 
mm long flanges or spines that arch distally at 
