Calamites of the Pennsylvanian Period

Plant fossils recently found in Hazard (Perry County) Kentucky in the Breathitt Group.  These fossils appear to be Calamites from the Pennsylvanian (Carboniferous) Period.  These imprints have been sealed to prevent the carbon layer from flaking off.  The fossil imprint is over 20 cm in length.

Close-up of nodes in the trunk.

 Learn more about these types of fossils at the Kentucky Paleontological Society web site.

Thanks to my cousin for letting me photograph this specimen.

Devonian Period Plants

Devonian Period (about 416 to 359 million years ago) plants found in the New Albany Shale. These fossils are on display at the Indiana State Museum.


This first two fossil images are of a Callixylon newberryi trunk fossil.  More than likely the tree trunk floated into an area of Indiana and then sank.  Over time the trunk became fossilized.

 

These last two images are of what might be a Calamites in the New Albany Shale.  The Calamites has a relative alive today referred to as Horsetails.

 

 

Calamites Living Desendants

This plant is known as Equisetum or common names Horsetail reed or pewterwart. It is known as a living fossil. The plant is a descendant of Calamites.

This post on Neocalamites fossil plants at Malaysian Triassic Blog inspired me to create today's entry. I had been meaning to post these recently taken pictures.

These first three pictures were taken recently in Washington state.

These last four were taken in Paris, France near the Jardin Des Plantes.

Equisetum: The Living Fossil Plant

Visiting my cousin where I was using the sand abrasive unit to clean fossils, I toured his plant garden and came upon this. I thought it was some sort of bamboo but he told be it is a living fossil. This plant is known as Equisetum hyemale or common names Horsetail reed or pewterwart. It was known for its high silca content making good for cleaning utensils and clean wounds.

The plant is a desendant of Calamites which are some fossils shown in this entry. These fossils were found in West Virginia. They are from the Pennsylvanian period.

The cone or sporangim is used to disperse microscopic spores.

Neat cell pattern on cone.

Imprint of a Calamites leaves.

Here is a stem pattern that can be seen in a smaller version on the Equisetum.

Here is something that was on one side of the rock that looks like a bark pattern. The rock is brown but this fossil has been treated with a glaze that makes it shine.

A brownish rock that has Calamites imprints that has been glazed.

The last two pictures are of leaf imprints.