Plant fossils from Parsora in the South Rewa Gondwana Basin, India

Abstract

The paper contains a description of plant impressions collected from Parsora in the South Rewa Gondwana Basin. Four new species are ascribed to Neocalamites, Samaropsis, Pterophyllum and Araucarites respectively. Certain leaves strongly suggest the presence of Taeniopteris spatulata. Besides, further contributions to the knowledge of Thinnfeldia odontopteroides and Thinnfeldia (Danaeopsis) Hughesi have been made and the occurrence of Noeggerathiopsis Hislopi and Glossopteris has been confirmed. Attempt has been made wherever possible to study the epidermal characters of the fossils under strong incident light. The entire fossil evidence brings to light for the first time the presence of an undoubted and perhaps strong Mesozoic (Upper Gondwana) element in the Parsora flora occurring with certain Lower Gondwana (Palaeozoic) forms. It seems more probable now that the Parsora beds represent a younger horizon of the Triassic period, probably Middle to Upper Triassic.