Rock Identifier
Lepidodendron Fossil (Scale Tree) (Lepidodendron) — fossil
fossil

Lepidodendron Fossil (Scale Tree)

Lepidodendron

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness typically around 3-4 (fossilized in sandstone or shale), brownish-reddish color, dull to earthy luster, distinctive diamond-shaped or oval leaf cushion scars arranged in a spiral pattern, specific gravity varies around 2.5-2.7.

Identified More fossil →
Explore Lepidodendron Fossil (Scale Tree) in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App StoreGoogle Play

Physical properties

Hardness typically around 3-4 (fossilized in sandstone or shale), brownish-reddish color, dull to earthy luster, distinctive diamond-shaped or oval leaf cushion scars arranged in a spiral pattern, specific gravity varies around 2.5-2.7.

Formation & geological history

Formed during the Carboniferous period (approximately 359 to 299 million years ago) when giant clubmoss trees grew in vast tropical swamp forests and became buried in sediment, replacing organic material with minerals over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used for educational purposes, paleontology research, museum displays, and as a collectible specimen for fossil enthusiasts.

Geological facts

Lepidodendron trees could grow up to 50 meters (160 feet) tall with trunks over 1 meter in diameter. The distinctive scars seen on this specimen are the points where leaves were attached to the bark.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified by the geometric pattern of leaf scars on the surface, commonly found in coal-bearing sedimentary rock strata worldwide, especially in North America and Europe.

More like this

Other fossil specimens

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion (Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion) — fossil

Probable fossil-bearing rock or mineral concretion

Unidentified carbonate-rich concretion with a possible fossil inclusion

fossil
Likely fossil oyster shell (Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image) — fossil

Likely fossil oyster shell

Fossilized bivalve shell; exact species cannot be identified from the image

fossil
Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix (Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea) — fossil

Crinoid Stem Fossil in Matrix

Phylum Echinodermata, Class Crinoidea

fossil
Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone) (Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)) — sedimentary

Fossiliferous limestone (likely a crinoidal or shell-fragment limestone)

Bioclastic limestone, composed chiefly of calcite (CaCO₃)

sedimentary
Rounded sedimentary pebble (Likely micritic limestone or calcareous sandstone) — sedimentary

Rounded sedimentary pebble

Likely micritic limestone or calcareous sandstone

sedimentary
Chert with Fossil Brachiopod (Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2) with Calcitic Brachiopod inclusion) — sedimentary

Chert with Fossil Brachiopod

Microcrystalline Quartz (SiO2) with Calcitic Brachiopod inclusion

sedimentary