Thursday, March 29, 2012

Prehistoric Plants?

A coworker recently brought me two fossils that were collected by an excavator working near Dewart Lake in Kosciusko County, Indiana. 


Any paleobotanists out there that can provide suggestions as to what this is?  Above is a side view, and below is a top view.


Based on comments to a past post on Get Your Botany On!, I think this may be Sigillaria sp., but I would welcome all suggestions.


Above is a photo of the entire fossil; below is a close-up.


This is well beyond the area of my expertise, so any help is appreciated!
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6 comments:

  1. PremMarch 29, 2012 at 2:14 PM

    The lower fossil is definitely a Stigmaria (NOTE: I corrected my identification in the previous comment you referenced - I erroneously said Sigillaria when I meant Stigmaria).

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  2. Scott NamestnikMarch 30, 2012 at 3:57 AM

    Thanks, Prem!

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  3. Keith BoardMarch 30, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    This is fascinating. What is the approximate diameter of the piece in the first two photos? It reminds me of the buttresses at the base of a tree.

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  4. Scott NamestnikMarch 30, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    5-6 inches as I recall.

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  5. UnknownMarch 31, 2012 at 10:44 AM

    Possibly Lepidodendron.

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  6. Scott NamestnikApril 3, 2012 at 9:00 AM

    Good suggestion, Furious. If you haven't already, take a look at Prem's comment at http://getyourbotanyon.blogspot.com/2008/12/lepidodendron-sp.html.

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