Feather Or Plant Fossil

[lunaqua]

Hello, This is a fossil found by my father, probably in Illinois. USA.

Although I am not a paleontologist I am guessing it is a feather because of the detail; however

I think the height of convex shape (3/8") (or depth of the concave impression) that was created would indicate a plant of some kind. The length of the fossil itself is 4".

Thank you for any help you can give me.

Lunaqua

[Fossildude19]

It's a Macroneuropteris scheuchzeri leaf - plant fossil, not a feather.

Neat fossil.

Regards,

EDIT: I should mention that this looks like a Mazon Creek type nodule, and the Neuropteris/Macroneuropteris are decent and fairly common finds from there.

Pennsylvanian in age.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Fossildude19

[PaleoWilliam]

I agree

[lunaqua]

Thank you so much for your information Fossildude!!! Now I am on a merry chase to read all about this

fossil, and associated topics.

[Rob Russell]

That's a nice one, lunaqua. Welcome to the forum.

[Stocksdale]

Very nice example. They are known for their small hairlike structures that are visible on yours.

Here's a wikipedia that has a bunch of info on it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macroneuropteris

Edited January 30, 2015 by Stocksdale