Any idea what this is?

[EMP]

I was out collecting at an exposure of Pocono strata (Purslane member) in MD when I came across this piece. I didn't really know what it is, but it didn't look like any of the typical plants I've found at the site so I started browsing online to see what else was in the formation, but couldn't find anything that came across as being it. Any thoughts what it could be? Insect, plant, shell?

[Fossildude19]

Welcome to the Forum.

Hard to say what this could be. The Purslane is Misissippian in age. (Not sure if you've seen this PDF).

 

My first thought was that it could be a cone or seed, attached to the end of a rachis or twig.

It could also be some sort of leaf that has been crushed and twisted out of shape by currents. 

Neat piece.  Thanks for posting it.

Maybe one of the plant people here on the Forum can say further.

 

@paleoflor  @Plantguy  @fiddlehead

Regards, 

 

Tried to enhance the picture a bit: 

 

[EMP]

Thanks for the reply and the PDF!

 

I was mostly just going off some articles off of Google, but I couldn't find any reference to seed bearing plants in the Purslane unless Triphyllopteris or Lepidondedropsis is one. I've found some of what I think are arachnids, so that's why I thought it could be an insect or something (they need to eat).

 

Any idea what genus or species it could be?

[Fossildude19]

I'm not seeing enough detail for me to be able to identify it that far.    

Right now, I'd say Plant, ...indet.

 

It could also be stem that has been bent over, and parts of it decorticated/mashed up. 

 

You should post the supposed arachnids here. We'd love to see them.  

Regards,

[EMP]

It looked a lot like an arachnid to me, but I've never really collected in terrestrial deposits before, so it may not be. Kind of looks like it though because to me it seemed like the body was beant to the side, with a bunch of smashed legs around it (the first pic is the best, I think).

[Fossildude19]

I see where you are coming from on that - it kind of does look spider-ish, but I think it is more likely to be plant matter. 

I think the shapes are coincidental.

 

The thin "leg-like" things could be roots or rhizomes, and the "body" could be a seed.

I'd like to see better pictures, however. These are quite washed out, and kind of blurry when blown up. 

 

Any chance of getting pictures outside, in the sunlight? 

 

[EMP]

I'll try to get some better natural light pics later, but right now the light isn't strong enough to really bring out any details.

 

It just seemed odd that the "seed" would be in two segments like that and that there'd be four pairs of "rhizomes" on each side. To me it looked like this:

 

http://www.sedgwickmuseum.org/uploads/images/Collections/BIO_0249.jpg