Something inside.

[pro X]

You all have been so much help and I thank you.

Can someone help me figure out what this imprint on the inside of the rock.

Found it in central Iowa by Des Moines River in some gravel pit debris 

 

[Rockwood]

Pith cavity in wood.

[val horn]

Never thought about a pith cavity, can you tell if it is near the center of the tree stem on your fossil.  I was wondering about wood boring insect damage.  I have never done any kind of wood working to see these shapes before.  @Rockwood do you have examples?  fossil or fresh, it is something I would enjoy seeing. valerie

[Rockwood]

40 minutes ago, val horn said:

@Rockwood do you have examples?

Sorry, no. It would be from the center of a trunk, but I don't work up a wood pile like that anymore. 

[pro X]

Are you saying that this is a piece of petrified wood with a pith

[pro X]

On 11/30/2024 at 4:47 PM, pro X said:

You all have been so much help and I thank you.

Can someone help me figure out what this imprint on the inside of the rock.

Found it in central Iowa by Des Moines River in some gravel pit debris 

 

A pith cavity in petrified wood is the fossilized remnant of the soft, spongy tissue that once occupied the center of the tree trunk. This tissue, called the pith, is responsible for transporting water and nutrients throughout the young plant. Over time, as the tree grows, the pith is often compressed or disappears altogether. However, in some cases, it can leave behind a hollow cavity in the center of the fossilized wood.
Pith cavities can provide valuable information about the growth and development of ancient trees. By studying the size and shape of the cavity, paleontologists can learn about the age and growth rate of the tree, as well as the conditions under which it lived.

 

[Rockwood]

1 hour ago, pro X said:

Are you saying that this is a piece of petrified wood with a pith

Yes. I'm not certain I've seen the exact look in modern wood, but there is a fair amount of variation in different types of wood. The way the surrounding grain happens to be exposed plays a role in how it would look as well. 

[pro X]

11 hours ago, Rockwood said:

Yes. I'm not certain I've seen the exact look in modern wood, but there is a fair amount of variation in different types of wood. The way the surrounding grain happens to be exposed plays a role in how it would look as well. 

Carboniferous period, maybe?

[Rockwood]

5 hours ago, pro X said:

Carboniferous period, maybe?

Possibly Cordaioxylon. Gravel tends to come from formations in the direction that ice sheets advanced from. It can come from a great distance or from formations that are no longer exposed though. @Plantguy @paleoflor I could use a little help here if you're around. 

[doushantuo]

I'm thinking "Artisia" pith

[Rockwood]

51 minutes ago, doushantuo said:

I'm thinking "Artisia" pith

Yep, that would be from inside Cordaioxylon. 

[paleoflor]

Cannot see the photographs clearly enough on my phone. Will have a better look later when home... At first glance, though, some of the pictures give me "cone-in-cone structure" vibes. Has that possibility been explored already?

[Rockwood]

1 hour ago, paleoflor said:

Cannot see the photographs clearly enough on my phone. Will have a better look later when home... At first glance, though, some of the pictures give me "cone-in-cone structure" vibes. Has that possibility been explored already?

Thanks. I considered that. Looking closer at the layers I have to admit you're probably right. The would-be wood fibers aren't all well aligned. 

[pro X]

38 minutes ago, Rockwood said:

Thanks. I considered that. Looking closer at the layers I have to admit you're probably right. The would-be wood fibers aren't all well aligned. 

Cone in cone?  Please Explain.

[pro X]

5 hours ago, Rockwood said:

Possibly Cordaioxylon. Gravel tends to come from formations in the direction that ice sheets advanced from. It can come from a great distance or from formations that are no longer exposed though. @Plantguy @paleoflor I could use a little help here if you're around. 

I would be happy to help if I'm able.

[Rockwood]

1 hour ago, pro X said:

Cone in cone?  Please Explain.

Cone in cone is a fairly common form of concretion. It's not a fossil, but it is often collected. It's a little unusual to see such a narrow strip of it, but there are hints of tiny cones in what I was sure looked like wood grain earlier. Paleoflor is more qualified to make the call than I am. I should have asked for his opinion sooner. 

[doushantuo]

"Artisia " pith can be found isolated.

They can occur as sandstone casts or as compression fossil.

cone-in-cone ( "tutenmergel " ): 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2024 by doushantuo

[Rockwood]

It is a tough call, no doubt.

[westcoast]

I agree with @doushantuo, I think this is "Artisia"

[pro X]

10 hours ago, Rockwood said:

Cone in cone is a fairly common form of concretion. It's not a fossil, but it is often collected. It's a little unusual to see such a narrow strip of it, but there are hints of tiny cones in what I was sure looked like wood grain earlier. Paleoflor is more qualified to make the call than I am. I should have asked for his opinion sooner. 

Thank you for your valuable information. Great stuff 👍 

[pro X]

9 hours ago, doushantuo said:

"Artisia " pith can be found isolated.

They can occur as sandstone casts or as compression fossil.

cone-in-cone ( "tutenmergel " ): 

 

 

Artisia pith is a type of fossil that represents the cast of the pith cavity of a Cordaites tree. Cordaites were a group of extinct gymnosperm plants that thrived during the Carboniferous Period, about 359 to 299 million years ago.
Here's a breakdown of what Artisia pith is:
 * Cordaites: These ancient trees were tall, with long, narrow leaves and cone-like reproductive structures. They were a dominant part of the Carboniferous forests.
 * Pith: The central, spongy tissue in the stem of a plant.
 * Pith Cast: When a Cordaites tree decayed, the pith cavity was often filled with sediment. Over time, this sediment hardened, creating a cast of the original pith.
 * Artisia: The name given to these fossilized pith casts.
Key characteristics of Artisia pith:
 * Horizontal bands: The most distinctive feature of Artisia pith is the presence of horizontal bands. These bands represent the remnants of more decay-resistant tissue that crisscrossed the pith cavity.
 * Size: Artisia pith can vary in size, ranging from small fragments to large, impressive specimens.
 * Shape: The shape of Artisia pith is typically cylindrical, reflecting the shape of the original Cordaites stem.
Why is Artisia pith important?
 * Paleobotanical significance: Artisia pith provides valuable information about the anatomy and ecology of ancient plants.
 * Geological indicators: The presence of Artisia pith can help geologists determine the age and environment of rock formations.
 * Fossil collecting: Artisia pith is a popular fossil among collectors due to its unique appearance and historical significance.

[doushantuo]

pro: you succinctly circumscribed Artisia pith, but are those your own findings?

 

[pro X]

On 12/3/2024 at 11:35 PM, doushantuo said:

pro: you succinctly circumscribed Artisia pith, but are those your own findings?

 

My inexperience won't allow me to be factual as to the correct identity.

But tell me if am wrong,  the artisia and pith are both exposed in these photos.

[Rockwood]

6 hours ago, pro X said:

tell me if am wrong,  the artisia and pith are both exposed in these photos.

Artisia is the name (ichnogenus) given to a cast of the pith cavity. The actual pith would only be fossilized under very rare conditions. 

[Rockwood]

Oops. Make that form genus.