Multiple Well-Preserved Seed Fern Fronds

Description: Pteridosperms or seed ferns are a group of extinct plants with mostly fern-like foliage but with real seeds. They are mostly reconstructed as small trees but also forms with a climbing growth habit gave been found. Some forms, notably those called the Medullosales, have large fronds which could be up several meters long. Several groups can be distinguished within the Pteridosperms. The Pteridosperms evolved in the latest Devonian, and became common in the Carboniferous. The Medullosales took over the leading role during the Westphalian and persisted into the Permian. This fine example shows multiple fronds within the same limestone nodule, an uncommon occurrence. Note the distinctive terminal pinna.