Glossopteris leaf (Fossilized Seed Fern Leaf)
Glossopteris cf. browniana • Body fossil; vegetable compression/impression; Pteridospermatophyta
Geological Period
Permian
Estimated Age
252 - 299 million years
Preservation Type
Carbonaceous compression or impression with iron oxide (hematite/limonite) staining.
Condition Assessment
Fair; the leaf is fragmentary and blurred by the coarse texture of the matrix, with significant weathering and surface erosion visible.
Taxonomic Classification
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Pteridospermatophyta, Order: Glossopteridales, Family: Glossopteridaceae, Genus: Glossopteris
Morphological Description
Tongue-shaped leaf with a prominent central midrib. The surface displays a characteristic reticulate (net-like) venation pattern where secondary veins branch from the midrib and anastomose (re-connect) to form a mesh.
Rock Matrix
Ferruginous (iron-rich) siltstone or fine-grained sandstone, commonly referred to as 'red beds'.
Formation & Location
Likely from the Illawarra Coal Measures or Dunedoo region of New South Wales, Australia; possibly South Africa or India (Gondwanaland distribution).
Size & Dimensions
Approximately 5-8 cm in length; typical for fragmentary Glossopteris specimens found in terrestrial deposits.
Value & Rarity
Estimated Market Value
$15 - $35 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $50 USD
Rarity Assessment
Common; Glossopteris is the most abundant plant fossil in many Permian southern hemisphere deposits.
Scientific Significance
Crucial evidence for the theory of Continental Drift/Plate Tectonics; Glossopteris flora was used by Alfred Wegener to prove the former existence of the supercontinent Gondwana.
Preparation Recommendations
Keep in a dry environment to prevent high-humidity oxidation of the iron minerals. No chemical cleaning; light dusting with a soft brush only.
Notable Features
The specimen exhibits the classic iron-oxide 'red-bed' coloration typical of the Australian Permian flora, showing clear evidence of the anastomosing venation that defines the genus.