A FINE FOSSIL CYCAD TRUNK

A FINE FOSSIL CYCAD TRUNK

Cycadeoidea

Cretaceous 66 – 145 million years old

Patagonia, Argentina

Measuring 26 x 22 x 11 ½ inches (66 x 55.9 x 29.2 cm).

Cycads are an ancient group of stout plants crowned with large compound leaves. Today only a handful of different species remain. Yet during the Jurassic Period, it is estimated that cycads comprised up to 20% of all flora – an astoundingly high percentage. While fossil cycad leaves have been found on every continent, fossil trunks are extremely rare. The present specimen is one of the largest and most complete fossil cycad trunks known. It was the first fossil cycad ever recovered with its main root and two broken branches; further, the articulation of its surface is superb displaying in fine detail the well-preserved diamond-like scales. An outstanding and scientifically significant specimen.

PROVENANCE

Phillips Auction New York, May 17, 1998 (lot 167)

Private Florida collection from 1998 till the present