Glossopteris flora

views updated May 18 2018

Glossopteris flora The fossil flora that succeeds the Permian glacial deposits of South Africa, Australia, South America, and Antarctica. It grew in a cold, wet climate, while the flora of North America and Europe existed under warm conditions. Plants with elongate, tongueshaped leaves dominated the southern flora, with the genera Glossopteris and Gangamopteris being among the best known. Glossopteris, which gives its name to the flora, is characterized by a leaf with a fairly well defined midrib and a reticulate (net-like) venation. G. indica is the last species referred to the genus and to the family Glossopteridales. It is known from the Triassic of India.

Glossopteris flora

views updated May 08 2018

Glossopteris flora The Permian glacial deposits of S. Africa, Australia, S. America, and Antarctica are succeeded by beds containing a flora very different from that of N. America and Europe. The flora of the south grew in a cold, wet climate, while that of the north existed under warm conditions. Plants with elongate, tongue-shaped leaves dominated the southern flora, with the genera Glossopteris and Gangamopteris being among the best known. Of these two, the genus Glossopteris gives its name to the flora. Glossopteris is characterized by a leaf with a fairly well defined midrib and a reticulate (net-like) venation. G. indica is the last species referred to the genus and the order Glossopteridales. It is known from the Trias of India.