Description
Genuine Mazon Creek Fossil Fern – Annularia
This listing offers a rare and scientifically important Mazon Creek split fossil fern nodule containing beautifully preserved foliage of Annularia. Dating back to the Carboniferous Period (~307 million years ago), this specimen comes from the world-renowned Mazon Creek fossil beds in Illinois, USA. The photographs show the exact fossil you will receive, and every purchase is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing its genuine origin and quality.
Geological Context
- Geological Period: Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian Subperiod)
- Age: ~307 million years ago
- Formation: Francis Creek Shale, Carbondale Formation
- Provenance: Mazon Creek, Illinois, USA
The Mazon Creek fossil site is globally significant as a Lagerstätte, a deposit where fossils are preserved with exceptional detail. These fossils are found inside ironstone (siderite) nodules, which split naturally to reveal delicate plant and animal remains. The unique environmental conditions of the ancient delta and lagoonal ecosystems allowed rapid burial and mineralisation, preserving details that are rarely seen in fossils from this period.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Sphenophyta (Horsetails and their relatives)
- Order: Equisetales
- Genus: Annularia
Annularia represents the foliage of giant horsetail plants belonging to the genus Calamites. These towering, tree-like plants could reach heights of up to 20 meters and were dominant elements of the Carboniferous coal swamp forests. Their jointed stems and whorled leaves made them instantly recognisable and ecologically important as part of the dense wetland vegetation.
Morphological Features
This specimen displays the characteristic features of Annularia:
- Whorled Arrangement: The leaves radiate in circles (whorls) around the stem, resembling a starburst or wheel.
- Leaf Shape: Narrow, elongated leaves with smooth edges.
- Detailed Preservation: Fine venation and clear impressions that highlight the natural structure.
These features make Annularia highly identifiable and distinguishable from other common Mazon Creek fossil plants such as Neuropteris or Pecopteris.
Paleoenvironment and Significance
The Carboniferous was marked by extensive swampy forests, where humidity and abundant plant growth created the conditions for the formation of vast coal deposits. Horsetails like Calamites and their foliage (Annularia) thrived in these environments, forming dense thickets along riverbanks and wetlands.
The preservation of Annularia within siderite nodules provides a unique glimpse into the structure of these ancient plants. Unlike typical compression fossils, these nodules protect and reveal delicate plant features with remarkable clarity, making Mazon Creek material especially prized among collectors and researchers alike.
Key Details
- Fossil Type: Split nodule with Annularia foliage
- Age: Carboniferous (~307 million years old)
- Formation: Francis Creek Shale
- Location: Mazon Creek, Illinois, USA
- Authenticity: Guaranteed genuine with Certificate of Authenticity
- Size: Please refer to the scale photo with 1cm cube for full dimensions
Collectability and Display
Mazon Creek Annularia fossils are highly sought after due to their clarity, rarity, and scientific value. Each specimen is unique, preserving part of the lush swamp forests that shaped the Carboniferous landscape and ultimately contributed to the formation of today’s coal deposits.
This fossil not only represents a fascinating piece of paleobotanical history but also makes an outstanding display piece for collectors, educators, and natural history enthusiasts. Owning this Annularia fossil means holding a genuine piece of the ancient Carboniferous world in your hands.
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