Lepidostrobus sp
Division Lycopodiophyta, Class Isoetopsida, Order Lepidodendrales, Family Lepidodendraceaes
Geological Time: Pennsylvanian (~300 million years ago)
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Fossil cone: 23 mm by 17 mm; Matrix: 55 mm X 38 mm and 50 mm by 38 mm nodule pair
Fossil Site: Mazon Creek, Morris, Illinois
Code: CBF07
Price: Sold
 Description:
The Mazon Creek deposits of the region near Braidwood, Illinois
rival the other famous Lagerstatten of the Burgess Shale, Solnhofen,
and Liaoning for the variety of detailed life preserved. Many exquisitely-preserved
specimens are found in the ironstone nodules that make up the deposits.
The majority of collecting areas are the spoil heaps of abandoned
coal mines, the most famous of which is Peabody Coal Pit 11. Pit
11 now serves as a cooling pond for the Braidwood nuclear power
plant, but with over 100 other localities, specimens still come
to light. This specimen comes from Mazon Creek itself. Lepidodendron
is the name given to a giant Lycopod or scale tree which formed
an important part of the coal swamps of the late Carboniferous
which grew to heights in excess of 40 meters. This specimen is
known as Lepidostrobus, the term used for the cones of this ancient
giant. The cones produced spores and megaspores and may have exceeded
30 cm in length. This one is a partial cone in cross section. See
my other listing for a complete cross-sectional view. |
