Early Jurassic plant for identification

[Cianfaglione]

Here is a recent plant fossil find from the Early Jurassic East Berlin Formation in Hartford County, Connecticut, USA.

I gently rinsed the fossil a couple of times thinking it may be a fern-like "false fossil". But from what I could tell at this moment, it may be legit, especially since part of the fossil is overlayed with sediment. 

Comments, or a possible identification would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! 

[Fossildude19]

Hey Paul,

 

I think this one is actually some manganese dendrites. While it is black, and superficially resembles a bit of Brachyphyllum, the branching puts me in mind of Dendrites.

So - mineral staining, rather than fossil on this one, I think.

There is a chance I am wrong, so please keep that in mind.

I'd keep it as a cool example of a pseudofossil, though.

 

Cropped, and enlarged:

 

[Cianfaglione]

Thank you again Tim! They certainly look like manganese dendrites. If I understand this correctly, the branching crystals grew at a much later time between the two layers of gray shale.  

[Fossildude19]

Correct. 

Like I said, though, ... some of it looks like Brachyphyllum, ... but the weird branching on the middle item, and the fact that they are on the edge of the plate  indicates dendrites to me. 

[Cianfaglione]

Got it! Thank you again for the clear explanation. As you suggested, I'm keeping it as an example of a neat pseudo fossil. 

 

One other thing, I found this fossil yesterday, at first, I thought it was a piece of equisetum, but after reviewing your plant gallery, I'm now wondering if this could be instead Otozamites latior. Either way, it's an interesting piece! 

 

Best regards, Paul 

[Fossildude19]

1 hour ago, Cianfaglione said:

One other thing, I found this fossil yesterday, at first, I thought it was a piece of equisetum, but after reviewing your plant gallery, I'm now wondering if this could be instead Otozamites latior. Either way, it's an interesting piece!

 

 

Paul,

 

It's possible. I think I can see faint ribbing on the second "pinnule" from the bottom. However, it seems odd, that each of the "pinnules" appear to be on a different layer than

the previous one?  Is that correct?  (Could just be an artifact of the photo.)

 

Red lines represent different layers (maybe?)  Circled are may show ribbing on "pinnule".

 

[Cianfaglione]

Thank you Tim for pointing that out. I will have to look at carefully tonight under my stereo microscope. I appreciate your comments! 

Paul