Description
Genuine Jurassic Fossil Plant Sphenobaiera pecten from North Yorkshire
This beautiful Fossil Plant Sphenobaiera pecten specimen originates from the Scalby Formation at Hayburn Wyke, North Yorkshire, UK, a famous coastal Jurassic fossil locality known for preserving ancient plant life in remarkable detail. The fossil displays the distinctive leaf form typical of Sphenobaiera, preserved within fine-grained sedimentary rock that formed during the Middle Jurassic.
The photograph shows the exact fossil specimen you will receive, making this a carefully selected and authentic piece ideal for collectors, educational collections, or natural history enthusiasts.
Your specimen was discovered by our own team members, Alister and Alison, during field exploration along the Yorkshire coast. Following its discovery, the fossil was cleaned, prepared and stabilised by Alison to reveal the delicate plant structures while maintaining the integrity of the original matrix.
Full sizing of the specimen can be seen in the accompanying photographs.
Each fossil is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card, confirming that the specimen is a genuine natural fossil.
The Sphenobaiera Plant Species
Sphenobaiera pecten is an extinct prehistoric plant belonging to a group closely related to early ginkgophytes, an ancient lineage of plants that thrived during the Mesozoic Era.
Its classification includes:
- Order: Ginkgoales
- Family: Ginkgoaceae
- Genus: Sphenobaiera
- Species: Sphenobaiera pecten
Members of this group represent early relatives of the modern Ginkgo biloba, often called a living fossil because it is the last surviving species of a once-diverse lineage.
Unlike modern ginkgo leaves, which typically have a stalk (petiole), Sphenobaiera leaves were generally sessile or nearly sessile, attaching directly to the branch. This structural difference helps palaeobotanists distinguish fossil ginkgophyte genera.
Distinctive Leaf Morphology
Sphenobaiera pecten fossils are recognised by their fan-shaped leaves divided into narrow segments, giving them a comb-like appearance. The species name pecten refers to this distinctive comb structure.
Typical features include:
- Broad fan-shaped leaf outline
- Deeply divided leaf segments
- Multiple narrow lobes radiating outward
- Parallel venation typical of ginkgo-like plants
- Thin lamina often preserved as carbonised impressions
These leaves would have formed part of a larger tree canopy in Jurassic forests. When the leaves fell into nearby water bodies or floodplains, they were quickly buried in sediment, allowing them to fossilise.
The preserved leaf patterns in specimens like this one provide valuable insight into Jurassic plant diversity and palaeoecology.
Geological Formation and Age
This fossil comes from the Scalby Formation, a well-known Middle Jurassic rock unit found along the North Yorkshire coast.
Key geological details include:
- Formation: Scalby Formation
- Geological Stage: Bathonian
- Period: Middle Jurassic
- Age: Approximately 168–166 million years old
- Locality: Hayburn Wyke, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom
The Scalby Formation consists primarily of sandstones, siltstones and mudstones deposited in coastal floodplains, river channels and deltaic environments. These environments supported lush vegetation and abundant plant life during the Jurassic.
Plant fossils from this formation are often exceptionally preserved because fine sediments rapidly buried fallen leaves and plant fragments, protecting them from decay.
Discovery and Professional Preparation
This fossil was personally discovered by Alister and Alison, members of our fossil hunting team who regularly explore classic British fossil sites.
After recovery from the rock matrix, the specimen underwent careful preparation:
- Mechanical cleaning to reveal the fossil leaf
- Stabilisation of the matrix
- Surface treatment to protect and preserve the fossil structure
All preparation work was completed by Alison, ensuring the delicate plant fossil remains well preserved and display ready.
A Rare Glimpse into Jurassic Plant Life
Fossilised plant leaves such as Sphenobaiera pecten provide a rare and fascinating window into the lush ecosystems that existed during the Jurassic Period. These ancient forests supported diverse plant communities that formed the foundation of the Mesozoic food chain.
Specimens from the Yorkshire coast are especially desirable because they originate from one of the most historically important fossil plant localities in the United Kingdom.
Whether displayed as part of a fossil collection, used in geological education, or appreciated as a natural work of prehistoric art, this fossil represents an authentic piece of Earth’s deep botanical history.
The specimen shown in the photographs is the exact fossil you will receive.
All fossils sold are 100% genuine natural specimens and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card.
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