The following fossils date to the Pennsylvanian period in geologic
time.According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, they date approximately back to 300
million years ago when the area had a tropical climate. Most of the deposits
where they specimens have been found are no longer exposed on the surface.
Seed Ferns found in a shale deposit in Normandy, Missouri
(northern St. Louis county) found by Dr. Bruce Stinchomb,
Geology Department, Florissant Valley Community College, Ferguson,
Missouri
Leaves of Neuropteris (left) and an unidentified Pecopterid.
These are both forms of seed ferns (Cycadofilicales), now extinct
that lived in tropical swamps of prehistoric St. Louis county.
Photographs and webpage by Scott K. Williams of Florissant,
Missouri. Copyright 1999, All Rights Reserved.