Variations in Bennettitalean leaves of the Indian Gondwana

Abstract

The Bennettitales is a group of extinct seed plants characterized by pinnately compound crown of leaves which occur at the top of the stem and resembles cycads. These plants constitute a major portion of the Mesozoic vegetation and have a long geological history. The morphological variations in pinnate leaves exhibit primitive to advanced characters, i.e. simple to pinnately compound leaves with variable shapes, sizes and venation patterns. The interrelationships among various genera of the group have been traced.