On a new Petrified Palm Wood from Mohgaon Kalan Area

Abstract

A petrified Falm stem M 115 with roots attached to has been described in detail. A comparison is made with Palmoxylon sclerodermum Sahni, P. surangei Lakhanpal and P. kraeuselii Rao & Menon, all with attached roots. The stern and root structure vary in all these and M 115 cannot be definitely referred to any of these species. The structure and organization of the fibrovascular bundles and ground tissue in M 115 however, is very similar to those of a petrified palm petiole, Palmacaulon raoi Menon, also from Mohgaon Kalan area. Because of its close resemblance with Palmocaulon raoi, M 115 is designated Palmoxylon raoi. It is not unlikely that the two represent the petiole and the stern of the same species of a fossil palm.