Description
You are purchasing the exact specimen shown – a finely preserved fossil frond of Alethopteris lesquereuxii, collected from the historic Coal Measures at Radstock, Somerset, UK. This extinct seed fern is beautifully displayed with clear vein detail and pinnule arrangement, making it a striking and scientifically important piece.
This specimen was discovered on 12 May 2025 by our team members Alister and Alison, and has been carefully cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison to ensure both preservation and presentation quality.
A 1cm scale cube is included in the photographs to provide accurate size reference. Please consult the photos for all dimensions and detail.
Specimen Details:
- Scientific Name: Alethopteris lesquereuxii
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Pteridospermatophyta (Seed Ferns)
- Order: Medullosales
- Family: Alethopteridaceae
- Geological Period: Carboniferous
- Epoch: Pennsylvanian (Upper Carboniferous)
- Stage: Westphalian (likely B or C substage)
- Formation: Coal Measures Group
- Locality: Radstock, Somerset, UK
- Depositional Environment: Equatorial swamp forest with low-oxygen peat-forming conditions – ideal for plant fossilisation
- Biozone Context: Typically co-occurs with Neuropteris, Pecopteris, Calamites, and other classic Carboniferous flora
- Morphology Features:
- Distinctive, broadly ovate pinnules with thickened midrib
- Fine, parallel lateral veins
- Pinnules closely spaced along a central rachis
- Formal Identification: Alethopteris lesquereuxii was named in honour of Leo Lesquereux, a pioneering 19th-century paleobotanist who made major contributions to the study of Carboniferous flora in Europe and North America
About Alethopteris:
Alethopteris lesquereuxii is a member of the extinct seed fern group that dominated the Carboniferous swamp forests more than 300 million years ago. These plants played a key role in forming the vast coal seams mined today. Their finely preserved fronds are sought after for their aesthetic and scientific value.
Why Choose Us?
- 100% Genuine Fossil Specimen
- Includes a Certificate of Authenticity
- Collected, prepared, and verified by our own UK field team
- You will receive the exact specimen pictured
- Ethically sourced from a well-documented UK site
Ideal for:
- Fossil collectors
- Palaeobotany students and researchers
- Natural history educators
- Unique science-themed gifts
- Museum-quality fossil displays
Note:
Scale cube = 1cm. The specimen you see in the photos is the exact item you will receive. Please review all images carefully before purchasing.
Thank you for supporting responsible fossil discovery and appreciation of Earth’s prehistoric ecosystems.
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