First record of intact equisetalean strobili from the Wealden (Lower Cretaceous) of the Isle of Wight, southern England

Two excellently preserved small strobili were obtained from a Wealden plant debris bed in the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian) Wessex Formation, south-east of Chilton Chine, on Isle Wight, southern England. The are as compressions and show characteristic morphology sporangiophore heads Equisetales. Based strobili, attribution to certain species is not warranted. Therefore, have been left unassigned fossil-genus Equisetostachys which commonly used for isolated fossil sphenophytes. From their size, shape constitution, interpreted immature; absence sporangia spores consequently unexpected. Affiliation with Equisetum burchardtii might be an option. represent first record any equisetalean or sphenophyte remains Sub-basin English thus considerable importance. find especially significant because previously known specimens Weald German confined subterranean rhizomes, adventitious roots, tubers bases aerial shoots, situ, together only fragmentary disarticulated strobili. These finds intact reproductive structures either England Germany.