3.7" Fossil Fern (Dennstaedtia) - Montana

This is a 3.7" fossil fern (Dennstaedtia) from the Fort Union Formation near Glendive, Montana. The dark orange/brown preservation contrasts well against the shale, and many of the details in the leaf can be seen in good relief. There may be some touchups to the surface of the leaf where some of it flaked onto the negative during collection. The isolated leaf is a single leaflet from a fern frond.

Modern Dennstadtia are know as Hay-scented or Cup Ferns.

This specimen includes an acrylic display stand.