Plant Fossils

The fern group of plants have fossil records extending back to the Middle Devonian periods (350 - 400 million years ago). Ferns have leaves, called fronds, which usually consist of leaflets. They live in a wide range of habitats, ranging from the tropics to cold temperate regions. Pteridospermsare plants similar in appearance to the fern and are popularly called seed ferns.

Seed Fern - Alethopteris

250-300 Million Years

This plant was characterized by large fronds with toothed leaflets. Alethopteris grew in elevated areas of hot swamps. The name is also used for a number of similar frond shaped species which may, or may not, be related. This is an excellent example of plant life during the Late Carbiniforous to the Permian Period. Measures approx. 5 1/4" x 1 15/16" at its widest point.

Pecopteris Fern Fossil

250 - 300 Million Years

This is an excellent example of plant life during the Late Carbiniforous to the Permian Period. Most of these broke up before fossilization and only toothed fragments, such as the one above, survived. This very large fossil measures approximately 7 3/8 in. x 2 3/8 in.

Seed Fern 250 - 300 Million Years

This plant was characterized by large fronds with toothed leaflets. Alethopteris grew in elevated areas of hot swamps. The name is also used for a number of similar frond shaped species which may, or may not, be related. This is an excellent example of plant life during the Late Carbiniforous to the Permian Period. Measures approx. 4 1/2" x 2".

Seed Fern 250 - 300 Million Years

This is an example of plant life during This fossil measures approx. approximately 4 1/4 in. x 1 1/8 in.