Metasequoia
occidentalis - fossil cone
Division
Pinophyta (conifers),
Class, Pinopsida, Order Pinales, Family Cupressaceae
Geological
Time: Early Middle Eocene
Size: Metasequoia:
Metasequoia: 15 mm cone with 110 mm stem and 27 mm long frond. Matrix:
145 mm X 110 mm
Fossil
Site: McAbee Fossil Beds, Tranquille Shale, Cache Creek, British Columbia,
Canada
 Description:
This plaque displays a nice example of a cone and a frond of a tree
from the lacustrine deposits of the McAbee Flora of the Eocene of
British Columbia, Canada with fine preservational details. The region
was dominated by a shallow lake. Plant matter which fell into the
water was covered with a fine layer of silt which built up over
the years as a result of deposition of diatoms which bloomed in
the lake each spring and died in the summer. This is a fine example
of the preservation for which this biota is known. The Dawn Redwood
(Metasequoia) is a genus that was first discovered in Korea over
60 years ago. The first living specimens were discovered in central
China in 1944. Cones are produced by both the male and female tree,
with the male trees producing small cones in bunches. The large
cone seen here on a long stem is typical of those produced by female
trees. The deeper brown color of the plant matter contrasts well
with the lighter matrix, bringing out the detail.
Also
see: Living Fossils
|
|
