Fossil Pine cone Arancaria Mirabilis

3"/7cm widest


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Description

Fabulously Fine Pine Cone

This Fine Large Silicified Pine cone belonged to Araucaria family tree. Exceptional quality & very well preserved, cut to make two halves, and then gradually polished to reveal the internal structure of the cone. The tissue is extremely detailed; seeds are also clearly visible. Silicified preservation has made it so that the entire internal structure can be seen-with amazing colouration. The external showing a good preserved woody surface detail

Petrification

involves the replacement of the tissue by minerals in solution, usually silica or calcium carbonate. Re-crystallization of silica, due to pressure & heat, together with impurities in the solution, causes new forms of the mineral. It is often impossible to attribute silicified or similarly preserved woods to particular plants or trees. All that can be said is that the wood is broadly softwood type; Silicified wood is often attractive and multi-coloured. From the Araucaria family this includes Ginkgo and Monkey Puzzle

Information

Fircones have become increasingly more difficult to acquire, especially good examples, all exports from South America have been banned in recent years, so any that arrived in Europe prior to these restrictions will be the only cones available in the foreseeable future. These amazing fir cones may not be available on the open market in years to come due to the protection of the fossil sites controlled by the relevant Argentinean government services

Genus

Araucaria Mirabilis sp.

Location

Cerro Cuadrado, Fossil Forest (Jaramillo Fossil Forest), Santa Cruz,Patagonian, Argentina.

Other Nomenclature

Fir cone, Ginkgo, Monkey Puzzle

Geological Age

Jurassic period 205-135 mya