Unidentified Oligocene... Something

[Littoral J]

I found this in a Benton county crumbly fossil rich road cut that I'm fairly sure is Oligocene based upon the other fossils present.

Other fossils are all aquatic and includes a lot of clams (Pitar) and a few snails (Siphonalia, Neverita)

The fossil in question appears to have been a hollow tube that's been broken open, but I'm unsure if that's actually the case or if the end is simply folded in a way to give that illusion. I initially called it a bone in my excitement, but now I could see it as being plant matter of some kind.

 

This is kind of a shot in the dark, as I'm unsure if it could even be identified based on such a vague fossil.

Edit: It's about 2 inches or 5-6 centimeters

Edited July 19, 2019 by Littoral J

[Rockwood]

Carbonized wood/ lignite .

[Littoral J]

33 minutes ago, Rockwood said:

Carbonized wood/ lignite .

That's interesting. Wood hadn't actually crossed my mind because of it being entombed within the surrounding stone. I'm used to finding wood isolated, but that makes sense.

[Wrangellian]

Yep, any time you see carbonization it's a good indication of plant material.

Where is Benton Co.? Can we see your clams/snails, have you shown them anywhere else on the Forum?

[Rockwood]

I forgot to mention that you should keep a close eye on this material as it dries. Some of it has a tendency to self destruct and must be stabilized with glue. 

[Mark Kmiecik]

It does look like plant matter. It may have been a hollow reed, which would explain any tube-like features. Or maybe not. Hard to tell from just that one photo.