Morphological and stratigraphical significance of lower Gondwana plant fossils of Mohpani Coalfield, Satpura Gondwana Basin, Madhya Pradesh

Plant fossils from the coal bearing Barakar Formation exposed in Gottitoria open cast mine of Mohpani Coalfield, Satpura Gondwana Basin are described for the first time. The assemblage is represented by Glossopteris communis, G. indica, G. stenoneura, Gangamopteris angustifolia, G. cyclopteroides, G. karharbariensis, G. major, seeds of Cordaicarpus zeilleri and equisetaceous stems. The dominance of the species of Gangamopteris over the species of Glossopteris and absence of Noeggerathiopsis indicate the floral affinity with the flora of Lower Barakar Formation of Lower Gondwana.