Carboniferous Creature Or Plant Fossil?

[hitekmastr 48]

Is this tiny conical shaped fossil evidence of a "carboniferous creature" or simly a stem fragment that happens to look like parts of a creature?

This turned up when Nancy (the keen-eyed member of our family) was examining some finds we just made - she jokingly calls this a "fish tooth" although we both know it's not that. However, the lack of associated plant material suggests that this is either a very isolated stem with a white coating - or - possibly a tiny fossil from a carboniferous creature. We are actively looking for insects and other evidence that living things co-existed with the abundance of plant life in the fossilized swamps at the St. Clair shale pits however, we're very skeptical.

We'll be interested in your opinions and inputs on what this might be, and why...thanks!

Edited August 17, 2012 by hitekmastr

[Just Bob 2]

I know of at least one member here finding a insect wing from St Clair, so they are there. With that said it looks more looks a stem to me but what do I know.

[Raistlin 43]

Well since it comes from an area where plants are I would have to guess (and I really mean guess because it sort of looks like one to me LOL) a stem/stick.

At first I thought little cephalopod or something but then I read about plant material and figured I did not know what I was talking about.

[hitekmastr 48]

The confusing part is that is has a well defined sheath, and there are some white fragments associated with it.