Hermanophyton taylorii (polished on both sides!)
Morrison Formation, Upper Jurassic McElmo Creek, Colorado ** Stunning slab of Hermanophyton taylorii with apricot and chocolate brown hues. Hermanophyton, as you know, is a rather scarce species. The multiple segments of this unusual Jurassic tree are nearly instantly recognizable by all serious collectors of petrified wood, and are highly sought after. The very collectible size of this specimen, at 4" x 2.5", is welcome at several levels. Price is sometimes a barrier to obtaining the larger slabs and a small size makes for a smaller price AND because this small piece has unusual coloration, good preservation of ramentum, and grub holes in a small package, it is easy to present on your shelf! The colors in this slab are unusual for Hermanophyton, and the lapidary has not only gotten a fantastic polish, but done so on both faces! Take a closer look at this beauty by clicking the photo above. The actual taxonomic affinity of the genus Hermanophyton is still undetermined. Upon request, we can provide the collector who purchases this specimen a copy of the scanned PDF file of the paper prepared by Dr. William Tidwell describing the taxonomy of the Hermanophyton genus and species. 4" x 2.75" on polished faces; 3/8" thick slice $250 (immediately qualifies for our discount on orders over $200) |
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Early dicot (Actinidiaceae Family)
Tertiary Eagles Nest, near Burns, Oregon ** Handsome end cut from a classic locality. This end cut sits nicely at an angle to the viewer when resting on its uncut natural end. The Actinidiaceae Family consists of small trees and vines. The family has been reported in a North American Oligocene leaf flora but it is now confined to Central and South America (as well as Asia). Most people will recognize the Kiwi fruit member of this relatively small family but it is very unlikely that our fossil wood came from a tree that produced these delicious fruits. We are providing a photomicrograph of this interesting wood anatomy. Notice that the wood is diffuse porous but there are a limited number of pores between the growth rings. One possible reason is that the pores are big - really big! Up to 200 microns each and rather angular in shape as well. There is not much room for additional pores in a lot of the annual cycles. If you are a collector interested in different and/or unusual species, this one's for you. 3.25” x 2” on polished face; end cut varying from 5/8” to 1.5” thick $40 |
Primitive conifer (Araucarioxylon)
Chinle Formation, Triassic Circle Cliffs, Garfield County, Utah ** An unusual specimen from a classic southern Utah locality with a bit of mystery surrounding it! This will speak to those who appreciate wood. We almost always expect to see a red rim on logs from Circle Cliffs but this one is different. It is worth saying that the collector actually penciled the locality on this rough slab after cutting it many years ago, probably because it was so different. In addition to the lack of a red border, we also call your attention to the filled cavities produced by fungus attack. We are accustomed to seeing these cavities filled by agate which were pseudomorphed from the original deposit of barite. But, acicular growths of barite do not have the sharp terminations we see along all of the edges of these cavities. See our photomicrograph for an example. These terminations are more likely the result of calcite or of one of the zeolite minerals. Whatever the original mineral, it is now pseudomorphed to chalcedony. There are numerous cavities and one very long pocket that follows a growth ring. Fascinating piece! 8.5” x 5.5” on polished face, 3/4” thick slab $115 |
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Primitive conifer (Araucarioxylon)
Chinle Formation, Triassic Egg Canyon, Garfield County, Utah ** You can tell immediately that Egg Canyon is in the Circle Cliffs area of Garfield County. The petrified wood is distinctive for that red periphery and the black and gray alternating bands of the main log. The white agate accents add an even more aesthetic pattern. That’s why we love this slab - it has exceptional presence that will make your other southern Utah specimens envious if they have to share their space with it in your display case! The Araucariaceae Family dominated the Mesozoic Forests. In the case of the Chinle Formation, the forest was located in the subtropical latitudes with a mild climate and year ‘round precipitation. That is the reason you see so few specimens with annual growth rings. Like the tropical and subtropical species today, those giant trees just kept growing and did not stop to rest (and thereby develop a growth ring). In the 220 million years that have passed since this tree was alive and well, the entire North American continent, including all of the Chinle Formation has migrated well north through the process now known as plate tectonics. It is wonderful to have a good story to go along with an aesthetic specimen! AND ... this one is cut thick - the old fashioned way! 7.5” x 5” on polished face; 1” thick slab $94 |
