Description
You are purchasing the exact Neuropteris fossil fern specimen shown in the listing photos. This authentic plant fossil dates from the Upper Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) Period, and was discovered in the classic Coal Measures of Radstock, Somerset, UK — a region historically known for its exceptional fossil flora.
This piece was discovered by our team members Alister and Alison on 12 May 2025 and has been professionally cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison to preserve the finest detail and integrity of the fossil.
The included 1cm scale cube offers accurate visual sizing. Please refer to all photos for full dimensions and condition.
Specimen Details:
- Scientific Name: Neuropteris sp.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Pteridophyta
- Order: Medullosales (extinct seed ferns, also called Pteridospermatophyta)
- Family: Alethopteridaceae (or broadly Pteridospermaceae)
- Geological Period: Carboniferous
- Epoch: Pennsylvanian (Upper Carboniferous)
- Stage: Westphalian (likely B–C substage)
- Formation: Coal Measures Group
- Biozone Context: Common within the Neuropteris–Lepidodendron–dominated flora of the equatorial swamp forests
- Depositional Environment: Wet, anoxic swamp and deltaic plains with high organic productivity and peat formation
- Morphology Features:
- Characteristic ovate to elongated pinnules with rounded tips and fine venation
- Pinnules may appear symmetrical or slightly asymmetrical
- Often preserved as compressions or impressions in shale or siltstone
- Notable Location: Radstock, part of the Somerset Coalfield, a well-documented site for Carboniferous paleobotany
- Formal Description: The genus Neuropteris was formally described by the French botanist Adolphe-Théodore Brongniart in the early 19th century, considered one of the founding figures in paleobotany
About the Fossil:
Neuropteris ferns were part of the dense, humid forests that dominated the Carboniferous period over 300 million years ago. These seed ferns played a key role in forming the extensive coal beds of Britain. Their finely-veined, leaf-like fronds remain some of the most iconic and collectible plant fossils from the Paleozoic era.
Why Choose Us?
- 100% Genuine Fossil Specimen
- Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
- Discovered, cleaned, and prepared by our in-house UK team
- Exact item shown in photos
- Responsibly and legally collected from known UK fossil sites
Ideal for:
- Fossil collectors
- Science teachers and educators
- Natural history enthusiasts
- Museum-quality displays
- Thoughtful gifts for geology lovers
Note:
Scale cube = 1cm. You will receive the exact item shown. Please view all images carefully for detail and scale.
Thank you for supporting ethical fossil discovery and authentic scientific heritage.
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