Museum Quality, Carboniferous Fern Fossil, 3 Species Front And Back St Claire PA
Item History & Price
8x5" displays bright frond againsta dark gray matrix. Its shape - perfect for creative display - makesthis specimen strong and not bulky. These natural wonders fell into abog where a low temperature, low pressure, oxygen depleted environment evolvedthe plant tissue into Pyrite. Pyrophyllite (Aluminum Silicate) replaced thePyrite at an ensuing stage, creating the bold, white color. Any orange-ishcolor was caused by the presence of iron ore and is an entirel...y naturaloccurrence. This remarkable state of preservation is the anomaly thatprovide St. Clair, Pennsylvania fern fossils with their beautifulcomplexions.Photos are guaranteed accurate- Bold Whites & Bright Hues are actually more astonishing to the nakedeye!Itis because of the Pyrophyllite, its coloration, and its deep contrast to thedark shale matrix, that these pieces are - understandably - the mostdesirable fossil ferns with collectors. Generally the frond would crumble soonafter being shed from the fern 'tree, ' so complete or partial fern frondsremain highly coveted by collectors and geologists alike - regardless ofcollection site or presence of Pyrophyllite.This dig site is closedpermanently - those available are truly priceless.Dozensof plant species are found in this shale, look closely. Common species includeAlethopteris, Neuropteris, Pecopteris, and Sphenophyllum these carboniferousferns died between 280 and 310 million years ago! Seed fernsof any kind have been extinct around 73 million years ago, whiledinosaurs wereroaming the earth.
