(Bernard Price Institute for Palaeontological Research, 2002) Adendorff, R.; McLoughlin, S.; Bamford, M. K.
A new genus of Early Permian glossopterid fructifications, Gladiopomum, is established to
accommodate pedicellate, capitate fructifications with narrow receptacles, apical spines, and very
broad wings. Two species recognized within this genus were previously assigned to Scutum Plumstead
and Hirsutum Plumstead, viz., G. dutoitides (Plumstead) comb. nov. and G. acadarense (Anderson
& Anderson) comb. nov. An additional species, G. elongatum sp. nov. is established based on material
from a new fossil locality at Rietspruit Colliery in the northern Karoo Basin. All species of
Gladiopomum are confined to the Vryheid Formation; the genus may constitute a useful biostratigraphic
index taxon for Artinskian strata throughout the Karoo Basin.