Raton Formation Philmont Ranch New Mexico lots of 2-D leaf and palm impressions in the area, but this is 3-D

[apeters]

[Plantguy]

Interesting...I'm not recognizing it and hoping someone else will.

Is it in a concretion that you broke open and/or part of an outcrop or just a surface find? Trying to figure out if that is some strange sedimentary structure or plant related as you suggest. Did you happen to look at/get a picture of either end?  Is there any grain/internal structure visible---may need to be wet to see any internal goings on. 

 

Regards, Chris 

[Oxytropidoceras]

I would interpreted it as both sedimentary structure and plant related. My guess that it is a tool mark made by the end of a branch dragged by a current across a muddy bottom. The picture shows the bottom of the sand fill of the down-side-up tool mark as the mud in which it was cut has been preferentially eroded away.  

 

Tool marks - Wkipedia

 

Tool marks were observed in the Channel-belt Assemblage of the Raton Formation as noted on page 46 of:

Horner, R.J., 2016. Facies characterization and architectural

context of terminal splay sandstone beds in the Cretaceous-

Paleocene Raton Formation, Colorado (Doctoral dissertation,

Texas Christian University).

 

Yours,

 

Paul H.

Edited July 11, 2021 by Oxytropidoceras
added reference and comment