Zenmaster6 122 Posted May 3, 2019 Hello, Someone says Cyathea, I think it looks like Neuropteris Flexuosa. Input? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Kmiecik 1,232 Posted May 3, 2019 I'm leaning towards Neuropteris. Pinnules populate the rachis more densely than Cyathea. I don't know if we can get down to species, but Flexuosa is a possibility. Just noticed this specimen is "56 mya". I don't think Neuropteris made it that far into the future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piranha 7,162 Posted May 3, 2019 Neuropteris is too old and not present in these BC / Washington floras. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doushantuo 4,260 Posted May 4, 2019 There was(is?/haven't checked yet) a Pecopteris cyathea,which your specimen (I hesitate to say "obviously")can't be,for the simple reason Piranha outlined. The tree fern genus Cyathea is a not uncommon constituent of Paleocene("early Tertiary") paleofloras,I believe. IF i may ask,why the "PETM"? I take it you are familiar with the true meaning of the acronym? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rockwood 3,332 Posted May 4, 2019 Tree ferns are restricted to southern latitudes today, but the leaves of ground ferns which look very similar are common in the Maine woods. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenmaster6 122 Posted May 4, 2019 13 hours ago, doushantuo said: There was(is?/haven't checked yet) a Pecopteris cyathea,which your specimen (I hesitate to say "obviously")can't be,for the simple reason Piranha outlined. The tree fern genus Cyathea is a not uncommon constituent of Paleocene("early Tertiary") paleofloras,I believe. IF i may ask,why the "PETM"? I tak/e it you are familiar with the true meaning of the acronym? PETM is just how I think of these when I see them. These strange tropical plants from the thermal maximum. It seems significant to me at least, when identifying them. Sort of like buchia are usually indicative of the Jurassic - Cretaceous Boundary period. I feel maybe adding PETM might help someone identify this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenmaster6 122 Posted May 4, 2019 So I'm still uncertain. Is Cyathea off the table? I would imagine that a Cyathea frond fossil would have more leaflets connected to the fossil, this seems more like a ground fern of some kind but I still am at a lose. I'm making this assumption as well, based on this chart and this link https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Chuckanut-Formation-leaf-fossils-A-Sassafras-B-Taxodium-swamp-cypress-C_fig2_266138817 Stating that this fern which looks identical is a Cyathea. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
