Australia

A plant, almost as old as Cooksonia, is Baragwanathia longifolia. There has been a lot of discussion about the age of this  clubmoss-like  plant, but now it is believed to be Early Ludlow (from 420 million years on). The repeatedly branched stems have a length of 10 to 20 cm and they are covered with long, needle-like leaves. Sometimes sporangia are present and transverse sections of the stems show a vascular strand like in other higher plants. The plant has a remarkably high degree of development in relation to its age. Baragwanathia longifolia has only been found in Australia.
 

Last Modified 04/05/2008

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NAME:  Baragwanathia longifolia
GEOLOGIC AGE:    Upper Silurian
LOCATION:    Wilson Creek Shale, Jordan River Group:  Victoria Australia
COMMENTS:  EXTRAORDINARILY RARE SPECIMEN from a genus of extinct plants found only in Australia!!  This specimen had previously been part of the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History collection and was released from that collection as part of a trade deal.  This specimen comes with an ID Card from the Museum. 

Australia Plant 1 Price $500.00