Fossil Fern – Alethopteris serlii – Carboniferous Plant – UK Coal Measures – Genuine Radstock Specimen with Certificate

Description

You are purchasing the exact fossil specimen shown in the photographs: a beautifully preserved frond of the extinct Carboniferous fern Alethopteris serlii, discovered in the historic Coal Measures of Radstock, Somerset, UK.

This specimen was collected by our team members Alister and Alison on 12 May 2025 and has been professionally cleaned, prepped, and stabilised by Alison to reveal its fine venation and overall form. It is a genuine piece of Earth’s deep past and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The included 1cm scale cube gives accurate reference for size. Please review all listing photos for condition and detail.

Specimen Details:

• Scientific Name: Alethopteris serlii
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Pteridospermatophyta (Seed Ferns)
• Order: Medullosales
• Family: Alethopteridaceae
• Geological Period: Carboniferous
• Epoch: Pennsylvanian (Upper Carboniferous)
• Stage: Westphalian (likely Westphalian B–C)
• Formation: Coal Measures Group
• Biozone Context: Found within diverse swamp flora including Neuropteris, Macroneuropteris, and Lepidodendron
• Depositional Environment: Tropical, lowland coal swamp with high humidity, slow sedimentation, and organic accumulation; ideal for plant fossilisation
• Morphology Features:
• Distinct, elongated pinnules arranged along a central rachis
• Prominent midveins with fine, regularly spaced lateral veins
• Often mistaken for modern fern fronds, but actually from extinct seed-producing plants
• Notable Locality: Radstock, Somerset – a key site in British Carboniferous palaeobotany
• Formal Identification: Alethopteris serlii was formally described by the French botanist Adolphe-Théodore Brongniart, known as the “father of palaeobotany,” in the early 19th century

About Alethopteris:

Alethopteris serlii is a classic representative of the coal forest vegetation that thrived over 300 million years ago. These seed ferns were among the dominant plants of the Carboniferous, contributing heavily to the plant matter that eventually became coal. Their graceful, fern-like fronds are a favourite among collectors and educators.

Why Choose Us?

• 100% Genuine Fossil Specimen
• Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
• Cleaned, prepped, and handled by fossil professionals
• You will receive the exact item shown
• Sourced legally and ethically from UK sites

Perfect for:

• Fossil collectors
• Palaeobotany enthusiasts
• Natural history teachers
• Unique science gifts
• Academic or museum-quality displays

Note:

Scale cube = 1cm. Please refer to all photographs for size and condition. This is a one-of-a-kind specimen.

Thank you for supporting ethical fossil sourcing and appreciation of our planet’s deep botanical history.