Radiocarpales

Radiocarpales is an extinct order of plants belonging to the division Cycadophyta. These ancient seed plants lived from the Permian to the Cretaceous periods. Fossil evidence suggests they were widespread across Pangaea and later Gondwana. The defining characteristic of radiocarpaleans is their reproductive structures, which were typically large, cone-like clusters of sporophylls arranged in a radial pattern, giving the order its name. These cones contained seeds, indicating they were gymnosperms.

The vegetative morphology of radiocarpaleans varied, with some exhibiting a palm-like habit with a trunk and frond-like leaves, while others were more shrubby. The leaves often had a characteristic dichotomous branching pattern, though this was not universal. Their wood anatomy shared some similarities with modern cycads, but distinct features, such as the arrangement of vascular tissues and resin canals, help differentiate them.

Paleobotanical studies have revealed that radiocarpaleans played a significant role in Mesozoic ecosystems. Their diversity and distribution suggest they were adaptable to various environmental conditions. The decline and eventual extinction of the radiocarpaleans are thought to be linked to climatic changes and competition from more advanced plant groups that emerged later, such as angiosperms. The fossil record provides important insights into the evolutionary history of seed plants and the ancient flora that once dominated the Earth.