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FERNS
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ILLINOIS
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| EXTINCTIONS CHOICE - Asterophyllites and Fern |
| Stock Number FPFMC32 |
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Name:
Asterophyllites equisetiformis and Fern
Age: Pennsylvanian
Formation: Carbondale Formation
Location: Braidwood, Illinois
Size: Larger half is 3.7" X 5.6"
In the Pennsylvanian swamps of Mazon Creek, Illinois, a gigantic rush-like plant named Calamites grew up to fifty feet tall. The leaves of the plant were always borne in whorls, entirely surrounding the slender branches. Because of their characteristic appearance, specimens such as this one were called fossil ''asters'' by the coal miners.
This specimen of Asterophyllites equisetiformis is a gorgeous example of those leaves. Three large whorls of leaves are beautifully preserved and nearly completely intact. The individual, linear leaves are quite distinct. The Asterophyllites is wonderfully showcased in the siderite concretion, and both halves (part and counterpart) of the concretion are present. Also fossilized in the concretion is a large branch of seed ferns. This is a large, displayable specimen of Asterophyllites and Seed Ferns from an old Mazon Creek collection.
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