Rock Identifier
Palm Wood Fossil (Palmoxylon) — fossil
fossil

Palm Wood Fossil

Palmoxylon

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, with a vitreous to waxy luster. Colors range from tan, brown, and grey to reddish hues, displaying distinctive cellular patterns of dark dots and rods.

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Physical properties

Hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, with a vitreous to waxy luster. Colors range from tan, brown, and grey to reddish hues, displaying distinctive cellular patterns of dark dots and rods.

Formation & geological history

Formed through permineralization, where silica-rich groundwater replaces original organic plant material over millions of years, commonly dating from the Cretaceous to Tertiary periods.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in lapidary arts for cabochons, decorative carvings, and as collectible display specimens.

Geological facts

It is the state fossil of Texas. The distinctive polka-dot pattern is created by the cross-sections of the palm plant's fibrous vascular bundles.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by the unique pattern of longitudinal rods and cross-sectional dots resembling tiny eyes. Commonly found in coastal plains and desert regions like the U.S. Gulf Coast.

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