Mazon Creek fossil plants: Part 1

[verydeadthings]

Hi guys! Long story short, a rather large collection of Mazon Creek fossils has been donated to my university. I thought I'd share some pictures of the collection and confirm some preliminary identifications. There are a lot of specimens so I will probably split this into two posts.

 

 

 

Annularia radiata

 

 

Annularia stellata

 

 

A whole bunch of Annularia stellata?

 

 

[verydeadthings]

More:

 

Asterophyllites equisetiformis

 

 

Asterophyllites equisetiformis

 

 

Asterophyllites equisetiformis

 

 

Asterophyllites?

[verydeadthings]

Yet more

 

 

Calamites sp.

 

 

Calamites?

 

 

All Calamites?

[verydeadthings]

More more more:

 

 

Cordaites cf. borassifolius

 

 

Lycopodites meeki

[deutscheben]

Based on my experience and looking at the ESCONI guide to the Mazon Creek Flora, I would change a few of these IDs. 

 

The one you have labeled as Cordaites I would say is some sort of partial Lepidostrobophyllum cone bract instead. Similarly, I would say the last item is more likely a Lepidostrobus cone with open bracts. 

 

The first item labeled as Calamites could be one, but the ribs are not clear- it could also be some other kind of bark or woody material. Most of the other pieces in that post look like the long thin leaves known as Cyperites.

 

I think the third item you have labeled as Asterophyllites is actually another Annularia radiata, but most everything else seems correct- the last Asterophyllites looks like it could be Asterophyllites longifolius, possibly.

 

I hope that helps, some other folks might be able to give you more detailed species-level IDs on some of these, or tell me I was wrong, I am definitely still learning. 

 

 

[ynot]

@Nimravis

[Nimravis]

I tend to agree with @deutscheben on his ID’s, but I think that the last one labeled Asterophyllites maybe any example of Cyperites. I could be wrong, but will tag @RCFossils and he will know. BTW- nice collection to get donated.

[verydeadthings]

Thanks for the responses, everyone! It's been a learning experience for me, to be sure. I'll try and get around to posting the rest of the donation shortly

[minnbuckeye]

Not to alter the direction of this post, but is the Mazon Creek area closed in the winter except for hunting. I stopped by there on my way back from Ohio, but was met with closed gates and hunting rules. Would have loved to find a few nodules.  @Nimravis

[Nimravis]

3 hours ago, minnbuckeye said:

Not to alter the direction of this post, but is the Mazon Creek area closed in the winter except for hunting. I stopped by there on my way back from Ohio, but was met with closed gates and hunting rules. Would have loved to find a few nodules.  @Nimravis

Yes it is, it reopens on March 1st. You must have went to the Boat Ramp area, I collect a little farther down the road, near the tipple area on N 5000 road. There are no gates there, but that area is still closed until 3-1-19 due to hunting.