LATE-MIOCENE MOLDAVIAN PETRIFIED FOREST

Abstract

A collection of petrified wood, hosted by the Natural Sciences Section of the Museum “Vasile Pârvan” from Bârlad, was submitted to a palaeoxylotomical study. The samples come from the central part of Moldova, Northward of Bârlad, and were collected from Simila gravel-quarry, from fluvial-deltaic sediments of Maeotian age, most probably representing reworked elements from a Sarmatian formation which occurs in situ more Northward, in Soleşti-Avereşti-Huşi area. Previous palaeobotanical studies made in that region outlined an interesting Late Miocene Flora on the Moldavian Platform, and the palaeoxylotomical studies confirmed in that area the presence of forests with conifers, elms, oaks and poplars. The results of the present study show the following taxa identified taxa: Glyptostroboxylon cf. rudolphii Dolezych et Van der Burgh, Ulmoxylon scabroides Greguss, Quercoxylon bavaricum Selmeier, Quercoxylon intermedium Petrescu et Velitzelos, Populoxylon tremuloides Iamandei et Iamandei, and Prunoidoxylon multiporosum Dupéron.