Eoginkgoites

Eoginkgoites is an extinct form genus of bennettitalean leaves from the Late Triassic of North America. Despite its palmate appearance similar to some early ginkgo species, it belongs to a different gymnosperm order, the Bennettitales. The leaf is deeply segmented into five to seven narrow, club-shaped lobes which twist around a very short rhachis. This leads to an overall fan-shaped leaf situated at the end of a long petiole. The leaf has paracytic stomata and veins which strongly branch and lead to a marginal vein at the edge of each leaflet. These structural traits are all shared with benettitaleans. Williamsonia carolinensis, an ovule-bearing bennettitalean cone, has been found closely associated with Eoginkgoites leaves, seemingly confirming its benettitalean identity.