Name/Title
Tree FernEntry/Object ID
78.58.311Description
Chemical Composition: Si O2
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Description: Family: Tempskyaceae
Genus: Tempskya
Common Name: Tree Fern
Age: Cretaceous
Location data: Wayan Formation, Grays Lake, Idaho USA
Description: A piece of petrified wood, a rare type of "Temskya Fern" not found in Oregon, from Idaho. Polished sides shows crystalline grey and yellow agate with dark brown and black moss and brown and orange moss along edge. Probably from the Jurassic period (Mesoaoic era).
Size: 4.00"x 4.00"x .750"
Type of Fossils Present: Plants
Fracture: conchoidal
Grain Size: Fine
Hardness: 7 Quartz
Luster: Glassy
Occurrence: Silicified wood, which is the fossilization and 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 is then replaced by (SiO2) silica, other minerals determined its colors.
Pressure: Low-Moderate
Rock Color: Medium
Rock Origin: Post-depositional
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Specific Gravity: 2.6
Surface Process: Not apparent
Temperature: Low
Texture: microcrtystalline
Variety: Tempskya is a form genus for the false trunks of a short to medium tree fern. The false trunk of Tempskya is composed of loosely organized leaf bases and stems encased in a dense mat of adventitious roots. A trunk looks similar to a poorly preserved palm trunk; the roots formed a conical false trunk that enabled the stem to assume an upright growth position. The roots were canniblistic and attacked older leaf bases and roots.Collection
Petrified Wood CollectionAcquisition
Accession
78.58Source or Donor
Delmar Smith Petrified Wood CollectionAcquisition Method
DonationOther Names and Numbers
Other Number
Other Number: 1978.58.311Dimensions
Width
4 inDepth
3/4 inLength
4 inDimension Notes
Dimensions taken at widest pointsLocation
Location
Display Case
PW-9Room
Petrified Wood RoomBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
ExhibitMoved By
Jillian Mather KettleyDate
September 19, 2025Notes
Location added when performing inventory
