Chatoyant, 6.4" Petrified Seed Fern (Rhexoxylon) Slab - Zimbabwe

This is a slab of rare Rhexoxylon (a seed fern) petrified wood from near Gokwe, Zimbabwe. The petrified wood from this area is Upper Triassic or approximately 250 million years old. One side has been polished to a mirror finish allowing the unique interior and chatoyance of this fossilized "wood" to be visible.

It comes with an acrylic display stand.

What Is Petrified Wood

Petrified wood is the name given to wood that has been turned into stone (fossilized) through the process of permineralization. In this process, all of the organic matter becomes replaced by minerals, while much of the original structure, such as tree rings, is retained. For this to happen, the wood needs to be buried in an environment low in oxygen to prevent decomposition and with flowing, mineral-laden water, so minerals may replace structures. The coloration is caused by various minerals that present in that water during fossilization. For example, red colors are due to iron compounds, greens due to copper, and so on.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Rhexoxylon
LOCATION
Gokwe, Zimbabwe
FORMATION
Molteno Formation
SIZE
6.4 x 5.5", .33" thick
CATEGORY
ITEM
#166048
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our specimens.