Fossil dicotyledonous liana Anamirta pfeifferi sp. nov. (Menispermaceae) from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of India

Abstract

A fossil dicotyledonous woody liana, Anamirta pfeifferi sp. nov., showing anomalous secondary growth has been described from the Deccan Intertrappean beds of Nawargaon-Maragsur area, district Wardha, Maharashtra, India. The wood exhibits pluriseriate secondary growth with alternate concentric rings of xylem and phloem, vascular bundles in a ring separated by broad primary xylem rays, differentiated pith and endarch primary xylem. Pluriseriate type of anomalous secondary growth in a fossil dicotyledonous wood has been described here for the first time.