 | "Age: Pennsylvanian (300 million years ago)
Believe it or not, the white colors are natural! It is this exceptional state of preservation that gives the St. Clair, Pennsylvania fossil ferns their great exquisiteness. It's hard to comprehend 100 years, let alone 3 million times that many, but these carboniferous ferns died between 280 and 310 million years ago! These natural wonders fell into a bog where a low temperature, low pressure, oxygen depleted environment evolved the plant tissue into Pyrite. Pyrophyllite(Aluminum Silicate) replaced the Pyrite at an ensuing stage, creating the bold, white color. Any orange-ish color was caused naturally by the presence of iron ore. Dozens of plant species are found in these shales, so look closely. Common species include Alethopteris, Neuropteris, Pecopteris, and Sphenophyllum. Seed ferns went completely extinct around 73 million years ago, while the dinosaurs were still around!
" Location: Llewellyn Formation, St. Clair, Pennsylvania
Size: 45.72 x 15.88 x 2.54
Weight: 5.0 lbs.
Quantity Available: 1 Price:
$50.00 |