Fine Cone of Clubmoss Tree in End View

Description: The Mazon Creek deposits of the region near Braidwood, Illinois rival the other famous Lagerstatten of the Burgess Shale, Solnhofen, and Liaoning for the variety of detailed life preserved. Many exquisitely-preserved specimens are found in the ironstone nodules that make up the deposits. The majority of collecting areas are the spoil heaps of abandoned coal mines, the most famous of which is Peabody Coal Pit 11. Pit 11 now serves as a cooling pond for the Braidwood nuclear power plant, but with over 100 other localities, specimens still come to light. This specimen comes from Mazon Creek itself. Lepidodendron is the name given to a giant Lycopod or scale tree which formed an important part of the coal swamps of the late Carboniferous which grew to heights in excess of 40 meters. This specimen is known as Lepidostrobus, the term used for the cones of this ancient giant. The cones produced spores and megaspores and may have exceeded 30 cm in length. This one is een in end view, allowing you to see the fill extent of the cone’s diameter. Most cones are preserved in side view, making this an unusual specimen.