Fossil Fern & Calamites Stem – Alethopteris serlii – Carboniferous Coal Measures – UK Radstock Specimen with Certificate

Description You are purchasing the exact fossil specimen shown in the photographs — a rare and striking fossil association of Alethopteris serlii (a seed fern) and Calamites (a giant horsetail stem) from the Carboniferous Coal Measures of Radstock, Somerset, UK. This beautifully preserved dual-species slab showcases two iconic elements of the ancient Carboniferous swamp forests in one piece. This specimen was discovered by our team members Alister and Alison on 12 May 2025, and was carefully cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison using specialist tools to preserve both fern and stem features. A 1cm scale cube is included in the photo set for size reference. Please refer to all images for detailed views of this one-of-a-kind fossil. Specimen Details: Alethopteris serlii Division: Pteridospermatophyta (Seed Ferns) Order: Medullosales Family: Alethopteridaceae Morphology: Large, ovate pinnules with central midvein and fine lateral venation Preservation: Distinct pinnule outlines with visible venation typical of swamp forest seed ferns Calamites sp. Division: Sphenophyta Order: Calamitales Family: Calamitaceae Morphology: Hollow, segmented stem structure with longitudinal ridges and internodal bands Preservation: Fossilised stem impression showing characteristic ribbing, typical of the tree-like horsetails that populated Carboniferous wetlands Geological Context: Location: Radstock, Somerset, UK (Somerset Coalfield) Formation: Coal Measures Group Geological Period: Carboniferous Epoch: Pennsylvanian (Upper Carboniferous) Stage: Westphalian B–C (estimated) Biozone Association: Common in diverse assemblages including Neuropteris, Lepidodendron, and Sigillaria Depositional Environment: Equatorial swamp forest; oxygen-poor conditions in peat-rich deltaic floodplains conducive to fossil preservation Scientific & Historical Significance: Alethopteris serlii was first formally described by Adolphe-Théodore Brongniart, the father of palaeobotany. Calamites were enormous relatives of modern horsetails and played a vital role in forming the structure of Carboniferous forests. This specimen illustrates the interconnected ecosystem of ancient seed ferns and arborescent horsetails, over 300 million years old. Why Choose Us? 100% Genuine Fossil Specimen Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity Discovered, cleaned, and prepared by our expert fossil team You will receive the exact fossil shown Sourced legally and ethically from a historic UK location Perfect for: Fossil and plant collectors Natural history educators Palaeobotany enthusiasts Museum-quality display setups Scientific gifting Note: Scale cube = 1cm. Please examine all listing photos for size and condition. This is a unique specimen and will not be repeated. Thank you for supporting responsible fossil discovery and the preservation of our Earth’s deep-time history.