Stunning Araucarioxylon Petrified Wood

Araucarioxylon arizonicum

Division Pinophyta (conifers), Class Pinopsida, Order Pinales, Family Araucariaceae

Geological Time: Late Triassic, Norian-Carnian Stage

Size: Fossil is 75 mm long by 65 mm wide by up to 34 mm thick; weight 199 grams.

Fossil Site: Winslow, Arizona

Code: PW32

Price: Sold


Description: This specimen of highly-colored petrified wood from the Chinle Formation (Norian-Carnian Stage, ~225 million years old) deposits of Winslow, Arizona comes with a story. Almost 25 years ago, I came across a few examples of this rare material at a rock shop in southern Utah. I purchased a sample and thought little of it. After my return home, I decided to try to obtain some larger specimens. I had been unsuccessful until a few years ago. The rich green color is the result of ~2% Chromium content. While the many types of petrified wood come in a panoply of colors, only a very few types are green; the only other known to me is found in Africa. This material comes from a small deposit near Winslow and is not known from any other location. Araucarioxylon arizonicum is the state fossil of Arizona, and is the taxon comprising some 90% of all specimens found in the Petrified Forest National Monument. It was a coniferous tree standing some 150-200 feet tall, and some 6-8 feet in diameter. Its closest relatives today are the Monkey Puzzle Tree of South America and the Norfolk Island Pine. All my initial specimens are now gone; I was able to acquire a few more this year, but have been told no more will be available from the field, as it appears to be played out. This one has a flattened base and has received a high polish on the display side, making it an excellent specimen for a cabinet collection or to serve as an interesting paperweight as a conversation starter in the office.

Fossils for Sale Information

click to enlarge


Fossil Mall Navigation:
l Home l Fossils for Sale Map l Museum and Rare Fossils l How to Buy Fossils l

Navigate by Fossil Category:
l Trilobites
l Ammonites l Fish Fossils l Invertebrate Fossils l
l Crinoids and Echinoderms l Insect Fossils l Dinosaur and Reptile Fossils l
l Cambrian Explosion Fossils l Plant Fossils l Stromatolites l
l Vertebrate Fossils l Fossil Amber l Trace & Ichnofossils l

l Fossils and Paleotological Science Information l