What could this thing be? Plant or animal?

[RobertBlackBeard]

Found in a creek in Oklahoma. This is such a strange thing to stumble upon, it has this stem or worm looking thing embedded in the rock. Is this a fossil of a plant or animal, or is it just some natural markings?

[Manticocerasman]

It is a fossil plant, I woud search in the direction of "Calamites"

[abyssunder]

It could be Calamites. https://www.google.com/search?q=calamites&biw=1360&bih=612&tbm=isch&imgil=NLBK_G3YGT0LqM%253A%253BOZcMDScDd5lkAM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.plantsystematics.org%25252Fimgs%25252Frobbin%25252Fr%25252FF_Calamites_sp_14727.html&source=iu&pf=m&fir=NLBK_G3YGT0LqM%253A%252COZcMDScDd5lkAM%252C_&usg=__qIxd863X0K7Z5-pjZQ3QEsdPeTE%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjd6JGg2_LMAhXkKsAKHaPgAXYQyjcIiAE&ei=EklEV92XNuTVgAajwYewBw#tbm=isch&tbs=rimg%3ACTSwSvxt2Bk9Ijg0ANx5PiV1gzCnlVCd3ygwyfIDyMh0n_1_1zk74vZ00pV2MMGOEW1RUmD56QKccVceU2h94Q1akhrSoSCTQA3Hk-JXWDER1D1nDEZ7aEKhIJMKeVUJ3fKDARHUPWcMRntoQqEgnJ8gPIyHSf_1xF3Q_1dzfvCo8ioSCfOTvi9nTSlXEcR04GCScv26KhIJYwwY4RbVFSYRjGKJi-msliUqEgkPnpApxxVx5RF5FPIhm4XqLCoSCTaH3hDVqSGtEf-GeyKIJq0i&q=calamites&imgrc=_

[tmaier]

Can anybody see the segment joints on this specimen to prove it is calamites? I don't see any.

The reason I bring that up is because the OP's other fossils are kind of a mixed bag of paleozoic marine (brachiopod, crinoid) and paleozoic plant. I've been fooled before by a ribbed, strap-like marine fossil from the Permian. The matrix does look like freshwater swamp, though.

Should be at least one segment joint, but maybe it is obscured by some of the breaks in the fossil.

That is a really nice what-ever-it-is.

Edited May 24, 2016 by tmaier

[Manticocerasman]

Can anybody see the segment joints on this specimen to prove it is calamites? I don't see any.

The reason I bring that up is because the OP's other fossils are kind of a mixed bag of paleozoic marine (brachiopod, crinoid) and paleozoic plant. I've been fooled before by a ribbed, strap-like marine fossil from the Permian. The matrix does look like freshwater swamp, though.

Should be at least one segment joint, but maybe it is obscured by some of the breaks in the fossil.

That is a really nice what-ever-it-is.

On the first picture you can see segment joints, but they could indeed be breaks in the fossil. it is hard to tell.

[Fossildude19]

I agree - this is my take on it:

I vote for Calamites sp., or at least some sort or Equisetales on this one.

Regards,

[doushantuo]

Mencl(RPP):silicified Calamites:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257764282_First_anatomical_description_of_silicified_calamitalean_stems_from_the_upper_Carboniferous_of_the_Bohemian_Massif_Nova_Paka_and_Rakovnik_areas_Czech_Republic

Neregato ,Rossler,et al(RPP):

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/270889543_New_petrified_calamitaleans_from_the_Permian_of_the_Parnaiba_Basin_central-north_Brazil_Part_I

Great pics in both

Edited May 24, 2016 by doushantuo

[lissa318]

Looks like some calamites I find around here. Neat find! I'd check out the cuts along the side of the creek. It more than likely eroded out from the creek water and fell in. You might have some nice layers exposed on the banks that have some more carboniferous fossils in them...

[TqB]

I agree - this is my take on it:

post-21537-0-62918200-1464091727.jpg

I vote for Calamites sp., or at least some sort or Equisetales on this one.

Regards,

That's how I see it too.

[RobertBlackBeard]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I really do appreciate it.