Abstract: This paper summarizes the history of classifications of Paleozoic seeds and revaluates the previous classification systems of Paleozoic detached seeds. The current status of studies on Paleozoic. gymnosperms: has been deteched seeds and whole fossil gymnosperms indicates that Seward’s classification system for Paleozoic seeds inadequate since all the seeds of Cardiocarpales in his system are not cordaitean female reproductive organs as Seward’s suggested. It is shown from investigations of whole fossil plants that the members of Cardiocarpales were derived from at least three different major groups of Paleozoic gymnosperms. Moreover, Meyen’s suggestion that the gymnosperms be classified based on symmetry of seeds has been little supported since all the fossil gymnosperms have not shown structurally preserved seeds and organic attachment. In order to relate detached seeds to whole fossil gymnosperms, the present author suggests that five families: Lagenostomaceae, Pachytestaceae, Callospermariaceae, Cryptospermaceae and Cardiocarpaceae be established for Paleozoic seeds and the Order Trigonocarpales be renamed as Pachytestales since the genus Trigonocarpus does not now include structurally preserved seeds. Thus, the five families may be considered either as subdivisions of the three orders of detached seeds: Lagenostomales, Pachytestales and Cardiocarpales, or as female reproductive organs of whole fossil gymnosperms of the five Permo-Carboniferous major groups: Lyginopteridales, Medullosales, Callistophytales Gigantopteridales and Cordaitales. A Key to Paleozoic seeds is provided as follows: A. Seeds with a cupule; integument thin, simple, deeply lobed and less differentiated;nucellus united to integument up to the base of pollen chamber; pollen chamber complex ................................. Lagenostomales, Lagenostomaceae A. Seeds without a cupule; integument thick, complex, unlobed and differentiated into several layers; nucellus free within integument except at the base; pollon chamber simple ................................................................................................ B B. Seeds radially symmetrical in shape; integumentary bundles present; nucellus bundles typical ................................................... Pachytestales, Pachytestaceae B. Seeds bilaterally symmetrical in shape; integumentary bundles present or absent; nucellus bundles often untypical .................................... C (Cardiocarpales) C. Bundles absent in integument; main bundle C-shaped in transverse section with a sclerenchyma bundle ............................................ Cryptospermaceae C. Bundles present in integument; main bundle not C-shaped in transverse section without a sclerenchyma bundle ......................................................... D D. Seeds very small with secretory cavities in integument; nucellus bundles limited in nucellus platform .......................................... Callospermariaceae D. Seeds large without secretory cavities in integument; nucellus bundles limited in nucellus platform or not ....................................... Cardiocarpaceae

Key words: Paleozoic, Detached seeds, Gymnosperms, New classification system, Phylogeny