This is the “Fossil Friday” post #269.  Expect this to be a somewhat regular feature of the website.  We will post any fossil pictures you send in to esconi.info@gmail.com.  Please include a short description or story.  Check the #FossilFriday Twitter hash tag for contributions from around the world!

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This week, we have a stunning Crenulopteris subcrenulata (see Mazon Monday #152).  C. subcrenulata is a somewhat common in Mazon Creek fern.  Long misunderstood and misidentified, it has at times been mistaken for Pecopteris (Cyathocarpus) arborescens (arborea), Pecopteris (Cyathocarpus) hemitelioides, and Pecopteris (Diplazites) unita.  It was first described by Leo Lesquereux in 1866 as Alethopteris crenulata in his “Report on the Fossil Plants of Illinois”.

This beautifully preserved specimen comes from George Witazek.  George always sends us high quality (and often rare) fossils.  Thanks for sharing, George!