Annularia calamites Cross-Section Replica

Description

Annularia calamites cross-section replica measures 3.1 x 3.1 x 1.0 inches. The Annularia stellata cross-section is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast of The Field Museum of Natural History specimen. 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

Fossil hunters dig up Mazon Creek fossils in the Upper Carboniferous Francis Creek Shale. The main discovery site sits along the Mazon River, a branch of the Illinois River near Morris in Grundy County, Illinois. This thick layer of rock formed roughly 309 million years ago during the Pennsylvanian period.

The name Annularia describes a specific form of leaf. It is the name scientists give to the leaves of the Calamites trees. These leaves formed radiating ring patterns at each stem joint. They look very similar to the branches of modern horsetail plants.

Annularia leaves grew in rings of eight to thirteen leaves. Their shapes change depending on the type. Some look like small ovals, while others look thin and pointed like spears. They always stay flat and display different lengths.

The full Calamites trees grew tall, reaching a total height of thirty-two feet. These prehistoric North American plants left behind rich fossil layers. Workers find specimens of them in the Permian rock layers of Russia. They also discover them in the older Carboniferous rock layers of the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Tracheophytes
• Division: Polypodiophyta
• Class: Polypodiopsida
• Subclass: Equisetidae
• Order: Equisetales
• Family: †Calamitaceae
• Genus: †Calamites Brongniart, 1828
• Binomial name: †Annularia stellata
• Conservation status: Extinct

Anna, the Annularia calamites cross-section replica, spins around on the ground like a little green top. She shows off her beautiful starburst leaf rings and dances across the forest floor, enjoying the bright morning sun.

Trunket, the Calamites tree trunk replica, stands tall and proud right next to her, stretching his grand trunk way up into the sky.

Barky, the Lepidodendron bark replica, leans close to the group, showing off his diamond patterns and rugged, scaly textures.

Fern, the seed fern foliage replica, uncurls her delicate, lacy leaves in the soft undergrowth. She waves her soft fronds back and forth to say hello to her forest friends.