Voltziales is an extinctorder ofconifers. The group contains the ancestral lineages from which modern conifer groups emerged. Voltzialean conifers are divided into two informal groups, the primitive "walchian conifers" likeWalchia, where the ovuliferous cone is composed of radial shoots and the more advanced "voltzian voltziales", also known as "transitional conifers" where the cone is composed of fertile scales with sessile seeds, like those of modern conifers.[1][2][3] Walchian conifers generally grew as small trees. The earliest walchian conifers are known from the MiddlePennsylvanian (Moscovian). The youngest walchian conifers are known from theLate Permian. The earliest "voltzian voltziales" are known from the late Early Permian (Kungurian).[3] Modern conifer lineages emerged from voltzialean ancestors from the LatePermian toJurassic.[4] Voltzialean conifers outside modern groups such asKrassilovia/Podozamites survived into theCretaceous, before becoming extinct.[5] The genusVoltzia was named in honour of the French geologistPhilippe Louis Voltz.
Data related toVoltziales at Wikispecies