Conifers from the Puddledock locality (Potomac Group, Early Cretaceous) in eastern North America

Several conifer species assigned to the Cheirolepidiaceae and one species assigned to the Taxodiaceae are described from the Early Cretaceous Puddledock locality, Virginia, eastern USA. The cuticular and gross morphology of the vegetative shoots indicates the presence of the genera Pseudofrenelopsis Nathorst, Frenelopsis Schenk and Athrotaxis D. Don. Most of these genera have been described from other Early Cretaceous localities in North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. However, a study of the material from Puddledock has revealed some new morphological characters which allow an emended diagnosis of Pseudofrenelopsis . A new species of Pseudofrenelopsis is then described based on specimens combining characters of Pseudofrenelopsis and Frenelopsis . A new genus Watsoniocladus with Cupressinocladus valdensis (Seward) Seward as type species, has been established for cheirolepidiaceous shoots with opposite decussate or whorled phyllotaxis. Two new species and one undetermined species, have been assigned to the new genus. Taxodiaceous shoots referable to Athrotaxis ungeri (Halle) Florin, and a conifer shoot of unknown affinity are also described.