Distribution of palynomorphs in segment samples taken in six outcrop sections of the Iron Post coal (Desmoinesian) of eastern Oklahoma shows prominent successional aspects. The variety of palynomorphs is small in the underclay and basal third of the coal, but is great in the top of the seam at all sections collected.

Underclay of the Iron Post coal contains a mircoflora dominated by Calamospora. Subordinate associations include Lycospora and Laevigatosporites. The spores Lycospora and Calamospora are dominant in the overlying basal third of the coal seam, everywhere except in the sections near the pinch-out of the coal. Granulatisporites and Triquitrites are locally important subdominants within this level.

The middle third of the coal seam is marked by a decline in Lycospora and the dominance of Laevigatosporites. A section located near the southern pinch-out of the coal is dominated at the same stratigraphic level by the saccate forms Wilsonites and Florinites. The upper third of the coal seam is everywhere characterized by a dominance of Triquitrites and Verrucosisporites.

Roof shale yields microfloras similar to those of the lower coal intervals except that there is a general decrease in most spore groups. This decrease is associated with a relative increase in saccate spores.

Palynomorph distributions within the Iron Post coal suggest that most spore groups were derived from plants indigenous to the swamp. However, palynomorph variety plotted with respect to position in the seam indicates that succession within the Iron Post coal swamp is somewhat irregular. A major decrease in microfloral variety at the base of the upper third portion of the seam indicates that some important event harmful to floral succession had occurred at the time represented by this level. It is suggested that relatively major fluctuations in palynomorph variety may be useful in stratigraphic correlation.

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