Rare Athrotaxis Plant Fossil from Solnhofen Painten Quarry

Exquisite Lagerstatte Preservation

Athrotaxis lycopondioides (Unger 1849)

Coniferodospida

Geological Time: Jurassic

Size: Fossil is 2 5/8” in length on a 4 x 4 ½” plate

Fossil Site: Solnhofen Lagerstatte, “Plattenkalk Formation”, Painten Quarry, Bayern, Germany

Code: PFS244

Price: $180.00


Rare Athrotaxis Plant Fossil from Solnhofen Painten QuarryDescription: Fossils plants from the Solnhofen limestone such as the fossil fern Zamites are rare and highly collectable. Another such plant rarity is this Athrotaxis lycopondioides plant branch, the first I have been able to procure. In addition, it is also from the world famous Painten Quarry, which is known for the spectacular color and preservation of it’s fossils. The Athrotaxis is a cone-bearing gymnosperm dating from the Carboniferous period; most are substantial trees; including the classes Pinopsida (subdivision Pinophytina), Ginkgopsida (subdivision Ginkgophytina) and Taxopsida (subdivision Taxophytina).

Another unusual aspect of this specimen is the specific Solnhofen quarry from which it was excavated. Generally fossils from the well-known quarries have little color, and many are enhanced to show better. This specimen is a deep sweet chocolate color that is totally natural, and uniquely found at this quarry site. Very few specimens from this quarry have been available to the public, especially in the USA. Fossils from the Plattenkalk Formation at Painten are also some 9 million years older than those from the traditional Solnhofen Limestone sites.

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