Parka decipiens

Parka decipiens is a Devonian fossil believed to be an early land plant, and is the only species described in the genus Parka. It bears at least a passing resemblance to the alga Coleochaete, but the significance of this similarity is yet to be established.

Description

The fossils of Parka decipiens seem small circular, elliptic or irregular patches reaching a diameter of, with a reticulate structure showing small coaly discs. These discs contain a mass of what could be spores. Ultrastructural examination of these spores has shown that they lack the y-shaped trilete mark, a Y-like scar, that is characteristic of Silurian and Devonian pteridophytes.