Pepper Tree

Object/Artifact

-

Crater Rock Museum

Name/Title

Pepper Tree

Entry/Object ID

06.58.10

Description

Assemblage Zone: Lake Sediments Chemical Composition: Si O2 Crystal System: Hexagonal Description: Family: Anacardaceae Genus: Schinoxylon Common Name: Pepper Tree Age: Mid-Eocene Location data: Eden Valley, Wyoming USA Description: From the Green River formation in the mid-eocene (55 mya) petrified when the branch fell into the ancient lake where it was covered with blue-green algea which petrified the branch - demonstration of field condition. Outer cast is tan with very little a bark texture seen, the polished face shows growth rings with colors tan to a darker brown in the center, there is also a clear ring of crystalized agate around the dark brown center Type of Fossils Present: Plants Fracture: conchoidal Grain Size: Fine Hardness: 7 Quartz Lithofacies: Volcanic Ash Luster: Glassy Occurrence: Silicified wood, which is the fossilization and/or opalization of organic woody matter by the deposition of SiO2 in a anaerobic environment to prevent decay. This means that the wood must somehow be buried in an oxygen free enviroment, possibly in the silt-laden river or the bottom of a lake or buried by volcanic ash or volcanic related mudflow. The organic material in the wood is then replaced by silica, other minerals determined the colors of the petrified wood. Pressure: Low-Moderate Rock Color: Medium Rock Origin: Post-depositional Rock Type: Sedimentary Specific Gravity: 2.6 Surface Process: Not apparent Streak: white Temperature: Low Texture: microcrystalline Variety: Petrified wood is hydrous microcrystalline variety of quartz that can be defined in general term of chalcedony or opalization

Collection

Petrified Wood Collection

Acquisition

Accession

06.58

Source or Donor

Petrified Wood Collection

Acquisition Method

Donation

Other Names and Numbers

Other Number

Other Number: 2006.58.10

Dimensions

Width

3-1/4 in

Depth

3/8 in

Length

2-3/4 in

Dimension Notes

Dimension taken at widest points

Location

Location

Container

Center

Drawer

3rd Shelf

Shelf

Left

Cabinet

Case #101

Wall

South wall

Building

Mentzer Hall - Petrified Wood Room

Category

Permanent