These leaves known as Annularia, are the foliage of the giant
rush plant, Calamites. These specimens found by Dr. Bruce Stinchcomb.
These leaves known as Annularia, are the foliage of the giant
rush plant, Calamites. These specimens found by Dr. Bruce Stinchcomb.
The below specimens were found in the Pleasanton Sandstone deposits
along RR cut near interstate 70 in Normandy, Missouri. This sandstone was
deposited in a prehistoric river delta environment and dates to the Pennsylvanian
period which is around 300 million years old.
.
The stems of Calamites embedded in the Pleasanton sandstone. Found
along RR
cut in Normandy by Bruce Stinchcomb.
A rare specimen of Calamites showing a young sprout
at the tip of a Calamites stem. (Bruce Stinchcomb Collection)
Specimen with the surrounding sandstone removed.
Found by Scott Williams, Florissant, Mo.
Restoration of what a Calamite looked like. Left, is an example of
the fruit.
Fossils have been found to indicate they sometimes attained the heights
of
50 feet and diameters of up to two feet. Though they are extinct, the
modern horsetail rush is a living relative but lacks the foliage of
the
prehistoric Calamites.
Prehistoric Life of St. Louis City/County
Photographs and webpage by Scott K. Williams of Florissant,
Missouri. Copyright 1999-2001, All Rights Reserved.