Araucaria
mirabilis
Division
Pinophyta, Class Pinopsida, Order Pinales, Family Araucariaceae, Genus
Araucaria
Geological
Time: Middle Jurassic (Callovian Stage; 160-165 million years ago)
Size (25.4
mm = 1 inch): Plant fossil is 83 mm long by 62 mm wide (each half)
Fossil Site:
Cerro Cuadrato, Patgonia, Argentina
Fossil Code:
PCF11
Price: Sold
 Araucaria
Seed Cone Fossil from PatagoniaDescription: This incredibly beautiful
specimen is an example of the seed cone from Auraucaria mirabilis.
This silicified cone has been sectioned and polished to show the
wonderful interior (the species name says it all). It differs from
pinecones in having only a single ovule (seed) in the cone scale,
rather than a pair. The genus derives its name from the Arauco Province
of Chile. Its  closest
relatives today are the Monkey Puzzle Tree of South America (I’ve
included a photo of a branch section) and the Norfolk Island Pine.
The
genus today enjoys a disjunct distribution due to continental drift,
being found in South America  (Argentina,
Brazil, and Chile) as well as New Caledonia, Australia, and New
Guinea. The Araucariaceae had their maximum distribution during
the Mesozoic, becoming extinct in North America with the passing
of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous. These trees stood
some 100 meters tall, and were felled by a series of volcanic eruptions,
covered by ash, and preserved. Over time, water seeped into the
deposits, digesting the ash, and depositing minerals that resulted
in the panoply of colors seen today.
|
|
