Rare Mazon Creek Split Fossil Fern Nodule Pecopteris Leaves Carboniferous Illinois USA with COA

Description

Genuine Mazon Creek Fossil Fern – Pecopteris

This exceptional Mazon Creek split fossil nodule contains beautifully preserved Pecopteris fern leaves, one of the most iconic plants of the Carboniferous Period. Dating to approximately 307–309 million years ago, this specimen captures the intricate details of ancient ferns that once thrived in the vast tropical swamp forests of what is now Illinois, USA. The fossil is preserved within a naturally split siderite nodule, a hallmark of the world-famous Mazon Creek Lagerstätte. The piece pictured is the exact specimen you will receive, accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Context

• Geological Period: Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian Subperiod)
• Age: ~307–309 million years old
• Formation: Francis Creek Shale, Mazon Creek Lagerstätte
• Location: Mazon Creek, Illinois, USA

The Mazon Creek fossil beds are regarded as one of the most important fossil localities in the world, offering exceptional preservation of both plants and animals. Rapid burial in fine sediments, followed by mineralisation in siderite nodules, allowed even delicate plant structures to be fossilised with remarkable clarity.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Pteridophyta (True Ferns)
• Order: Marattiales
• Genus: Pecopteris

Pecopteris is one of the most widespread and easily recognisable fossil fern genera from the Carboniferous, often found in association with coal-forming swamp deposits. These ferns were tree-like in size, with large compound fronds forming an essential part of the Carboniferous forest canopy.

Morphological Features

This specimen displays the distinctive features of Pecopteris fern foliage:

• Compound Fronds: Pinnate leaves arranged in regular patterns, resembling modern ferns.
• Fine Venation: Delicate vein structures radiating outward from the central rachis.
• Surface Texture: Clear impressions of leaf margins and leaflet spacing preserved in detail.

Such fossils provide direct evidence of the lush vegetation that dominated Carboniferous landscapes and contributed to the formation of the world’s extensive coal beds.

Paleoenvironment and Significance

During the Carboniferous, Illinois was located near the equator and was covered by dense tropical swamp forests. These environments were humid, warm, and teeming with lycopsids, seed ferns, horsetails, and true ferns like Pecopteris. The continual accumulation of plant matter in these waterlogged settings eventually formed the coal seams that fuelled the Industrial Revolution.

The Mazon Creek Lagerstätte is unique in preserving both flora and fauna, including soft-bodied animals and delicate plants that are rarely found fossilised elsewhere. Each nodule is effectively a natural time capsule, sealing in exquisite details of Carboniferous life.

Key Details

• Specimen: Pecopteris fossil fern leaves
• Type: Split siderite nodule fossil
• Age: Carboniferous (~307–309 million years)
• Location: Mazon Creek, Illinois, USA
• Authenticity: 100% genuine fossil with Certificate of Authenticity
• Sizing: Shown with 1cm scale cube in photos

Collectability and Display Value

Mazon Creek fossils are world-renowned among both scientists and collectors. Their exceptional preservation makes them highly desirable, and specimens featuring Pecopteris are particularly sought after because of their iconic role in reconstructing ancient swamp forest ecosystems.

This fossil is more than just a collector’s item—it is a tangible connection to the prehistoric world. Whether displayed in a collection, used as an educational piece, or gifted to a fossil enthusiast, it represents an authentic and scientifically significant fragment of Earth’s history.