Araucarioxylon Kraus is a widely known fossil-genus generally applied to woods similar to that of the extant Araucariaceae. However, since 1905, several researchers have pointed out that this name is an illegitimate junior nomenclatural synonym. At least four generic names are in current use for fossil wood of this type: Agathoxylon Hartig, Araucarioxylon, Dadoxylon Endl. and Dammaroxylon J.Schultze-Motel. This problem of inconsistent nomenclatural application is compounded by the fact that woods of this type represent a wide range of plants including basal pteridosperms, cordaitaleans, glossopterids, primitive conifers, and araucarian conifers, with a fossil record that extends from the Devonian to Holocene. Conservation of Araucarioxylon has been repeatedly suggested but never officially proposed. Since general use is a strong argument for conservation, a poll was conducted amongst fossil wood anatomists in order to canvass current and preferred usage. It was found that the community is divided, with about one-fifth recommending retention of the well-known Araucarioxylon, whereas the majority of others advocated use of the legitimate Agathoxylon. The arguments of the various colleagues who answered the poll are synthesized and discussed. There is clearly little support for conservation of Araucarioxylon. A secondary aspect of the poll tackled the issue as to whether Araucaria-like fossil woods should be either gathered into a unique fossil-genus, or whether two fossil-genera should be recognized, based on the respective presence or absence of axial parenchyma. A majority of colleagues favoured having one fossil-genus only. Agathoxylon can be used legitimately and appears to be the most appropriate name for such woods. However, its original diagnosis must be expanded if those woods lacking axial parenchyma are to be included.

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JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. The University of Chicago Press is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to International Journal of Plant Sciences.The exine ultrastructure of Williamsoniella coronata Thomas from the Bajocian of Yorkshire (United Kingdom) was investigated with light, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. The pollen averages 16.5 mm along its short axis and 24.5 mm along its long axis and is monosulcate, and the nonapertural sculpturing is distinctly verrucate. The pollen wall is homogeneous, and the sulcus membrane is composed of thin exine with scattered small granules. The pollen grains differ in exine sculpturing and pollen wall ultrastructure from pollen grains of the bennettitalean taxa Cycadeoidea dacotensis (MacBride) Ward and Leguminanthus siliquosis (Leuthardt) Kraeusel. They are similar to dispersed pollen grains of Granamonocolpites luisae Herbst from the Triassic Chinle Formation of the United States, supporting the bennettitalean affinity of these dispersed pollen grains. The Bennettitales are palynologically characterized by monosulcate ''boat-shaped'' pollen with a homogeneous or granular pollen wall ultrastructure.