Mazon Creek Fossil Cyperites Carboniferous Illinois USA Genuine Specimen of Tree-like Plant

Description

This listing is for a genuine Mazon Creek Fossil Cyperites, a rare example of fossil foliage from the giant, tree-like lycopsids that flourished during the Carboniferous Period, approximately 307–309 million years ago. Collected from the world-famous Mazon Creek fossil beds in Illinois, USA, this specimen represents an important part of Earth’s palaeobotanical history.

All of our fossils are 100% authentic and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive. A 1 cm scale cube is included for precise measurement—please see photos for full sizing details.

Geological Context and Preservation

This fossil originates from the Francis Creek Shale, part of the Pennsylvanian Subperiod of the Carboniferous. At this time, Illinois was situated near the equator and covered by extensive swamp forests. These forests were dominated by lycopsids—giant clubmosses that grew as towering, tree-like plants alongside ferns, calamites, and seed ferns.

The exceptional preservation of Mazon Creek fossils is due to their formation within ironstone concretions. Plant material was rapidly buried by fine sediments in a deltaic-estuarine environment, where mineral-rich waters facilitated the growth of ironstone nodules around organic matter. This process locked delicate details into stone, resulting in some of the most beautifully preserved fossils in the world. Because of this extraordinary preservation, Mazon Creek is regarded as a Konservat-Lagerstätte, a site of exceptional palaeontological importance.

Fossil Cyperites – Leaves of Giant Lycopsid Trees

Cyperites refers to the fossilised leaves of giant lycopsid trees such as Lepidodendron and Sigillaria. These plants could reach heights of more than 30 metres, making them some of the largest plants of the Carboniferous landscape. Their foliage, preserved here as Cyperites, consisted of long, narrow, grass-like leaves that radiated from the stems and branches in dense arrangements.

This fossil displays the elongated linear morphology characteristic of Cyperites, which played an essential role in photosynthesis for these towering trees. Fossil foliage like this provides crucial evidence for understanding the anatomy and growth patterns of lycopsids, which were among the first true forest-forming plants on Earth. The preservation of Cyperites from Mazon Creek highlights both the structural beauty and the ecological dominance of these ancient swamp giants.

Scientific and Collector Importance

Fossils of Cyperites are significant because they represent the vegetative remains of plants that fundamentally shaped Earth’s ecosystems. The immense lycopsid forests of the Carboniferous sequestered vast amounts of carbon, helping to form the coal deposits that fuelled the Industrial Revolution. These plants also played a role in atmospheric regulation, contributing to the high oxygen levels of the time, which supported giant insects and amphibians.

For collectors, Mazon Creek Cyperites fossils are both historically and scientifically important. They offer a chance to own a specimen that reflects the grandeur of Earth’s earliest forests. Their rarity and exquisite preservation make them highly desirable pieces, suitable for display, education, and research.

Your Guarantee of Authenticity

• 100% genuine fossil Cyperites (lycopsid leaves) from Mazon Creek, Illinois, USA
• Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
• Exact specimen shown in photographs (not a stock image)
• Scale cube = 1 cm (see images for precise sizing)

This Mazon Creek Fossil Cyperites is a striking piece of palaeobotanical history, offering a glimpse into the ancient swamp forests that thrived over 300 million years ago. It is a rare and beautiful specimen from one of the most famous fossil sites in the world.