fossil

Fern fossil in shale

Plant fossil, likely a fern frond impression preserved in fine-grained shale; exact species indeterminable from the image

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Fine-grained, tan-gray sedimentary matrix with a dark, flattened frond impression. Shale is typically soft (about Mohs 2–3), dull, and splits along thin bedding planes; the fossil itself is a mineralized or carbonaceous impression.

Identified September 29, 2026More fossil →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Buried plant remains were compressed and preserved in mud that lithified into shale. The specimen’s age and original locality cannot be determined from appearance alone; fern fossils occur from the Devonian onward.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for education, display, and fossil collecting; shale also has industrial uses as a source of clay and, in some deposits, energy resources.

Geological facts

Fern-like fronds are common fossils in ancient wetlands and help document past plant communities and climates.

Field identification & locations

Look for a branching central stem with regularly arranged leaflets and a contrasting impression on a layered rock surface. Similar fossils occur in sedimentary basins worldwide; verify locality and provenance when collecting.