Protolepidodendron

fossil plant genus

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July 13, 2026

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Protolepidodendron was a genus of extinct herbaceous lycophytes that lived during the Devonian Period. These plants were related to modern club mosses and are known from rocks dating back to the early Devonian, possibly as far back as the Silurian Period. Protolepidodendron and other early lycophytes were small, herbaceous plants, in contrast to the later tree-sized forms like Lepidodendron that appeared during the Carboniferous Period. The remains of these ancient lycophytes, including Lepidodendron, are significant contributors to the world's coal beds.12

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lycophyte
Annotated classification
…8 genera, including Baragwanathia and Protolepidodendron. †Order Lepidodendrales Extinct tree lycophytes, therefore capable of secondary growth; heterosporous, with some strobili (cones) forming seedlike structures; about 6 genera, including Lepidodendron and Sigillaria. Order
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…8 genera, including Baragwanathia and Protolepidodendron. †Order Lepidodendrales Extinct tree lycophytes, therefore capable of secondary growth; heterosporous, with some strobili (cones) forming seedlike structures; about 6 genera, including Lepidodendron and Sigillaria. Order
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lycophyte
…which were tree lycophytes, and Protolepidodendron, a herbaceous Lycopodium-like plant. Lycophytes are known from rocks of the Devonian Period (beginning 419.2 million years ago) and perhaps of the Silurian (as many as 443.8 million years ago). The remains of Lepidodendron and other extinct lycophytes form most of the great coal…
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…which were tree lycophytes, and Protolepidodendron, a herbaceous Lycopodium-like plant. Lycophytes are known from rocks of the Devonian Period (beginning 419.2 million years ago) and perhaps of the Silurian (as many as 443.8 million years ago). The remains of Lepidodendron and other extinct lycophytes form most of the great coal…
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