Take a look at the intricate detail of the Archaeopteris' fern-like leaf that was fossilized over 380 million years ago.
Archaeopteris is an extinct tree-like plant that has fern-like leaves that existed roughly 380 - 320 million years ago. It originally was classified as the earliest known tree, but it is now a part of an extinct group of plants called "progymnosperms" that have gymnosperm-like wood but produce spores, not seeds. It is believed Archaeopteris grew in wet soils all throughout the world and was the first plant to have an expansive root system. They could reach up to 80 feet tall resembling coniferous trees, but had fronds instead of needles.
Type: Fossil Leaf
Species: Archaeopteris
Age: Devonian (419 - 358 million years ago)
Locality: Southern New York
Size of Plate: 6.13 x 4.25 x 1.63 inches
Size of Specimen: 4 x 1.38 inches
Weight: 8 oz.