Evaluation of earliest Permian flora of India and its equivalents in other Gondwana continents

Abstract

The Talchir Formation occurs at the base of the Indian Gondwana sequence resting directly on the Precambrian basement and is conformably overlain by the coal bearing Damuda Group. It is a treasure trove of plant fossils and holds clue to the origin and subsequent rise of Glossopteris flora. Mega and palynofossils of the Talchir Formation reported from various basins of peninsular India are reviewed in the light of new researches. A comparative study of homotaxial flora from other Gondwana continents indicates uniformity and similarity in plant types at the generic level. The flora reconfirms an Early Permian age equivalent to Asselian-Sakmarian for the Talchir Formation.