Seed Fern Collection

Mariopteris muricata, seed fern
A leaf of a Carboniferous seed fern plant from Staffordshire

Glossopteris, fern fossil C016 / 4852
Glossopteris, fern fossil. This fossil plant has tongue-shaped leaves with a net-like arrangement of veins. This specimen is part of the collections held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Glossopteris leaf fossils
Fossil leaves of Glossopteris browniana. This leaf, which dates to the Permian period (between 299 to 251 million years ago), belongs to an extinct order of seed ferns

Glossopteris indica, Antarctic fossil leaf
Fossilised plant leaf collected by Robert Falcon Scotts British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913, also known as the Terra Nova expedition

Neuropteris gigantea (Sternberg), Pteridosperm
Part of a frond of Neuropteris gigantea, an Upper Carboniferous plant, a Pteridosperm, from Coseley, near Bilston, west Midlands. Range; Genus, Carboniferous; Species, Westphalian

Alethopteris lonchitica, fossil seed fern
Shown here is a frond of the seed fern Alethopteris, specimen originating from Carboniferous rocks near Barnsley, England

Fossil leaves of Neuropteris, a genus created to account for a type of pteridosperm (seed fern) leaf, which appeared in fossil form detached from the original plant

Alethopteris seed fern fossil C018 / 9379
Alethopteris seed fern fossil. Slab of coal shale containing a fossilised specimen of an Alethopteris seed fern. This specimen dates from around 300 million years ago

Alethopteris seed fern fossil C018 / 9380
Alethopteris seed fern fossil. Close-up of a slab of coal shale containing a fossilised specimen of an Alethopteris seed fern

Fossilised seed fern seeds C016 / 5948
Fossilised seed fern (Trigonocarpus parkinsoni) seeds. These large nut-like seeds measure about 2.5 centimetres long. They were found in the coal measures of England, UK

Seed fern fossil C016 / 5953
Seed fern (Sagenopteris phillipsi) fossil. This extinct gymnosperm from the Jurassic period was collected at Cayton Bay, Yorkshire, UK. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Gymnosperm fossil C016 / 5945
Gymnosperm fossil. Ovule bearing cupules of the early extinct gymnosperm Xenotheca devonica from Devon, UK, dating from the Upper Devonian. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Fossil seed fern leaves C016 / 5951
Fossil seed fern (Glossopteris browniana) leaves. This specimwn is from from Nagpur, India and is held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Dicroidium, seed fern fossil C016 / 5054
Dicroidium, seed fern fossil. This specimen, from Queensland, Australia, dates from the Triassic. It is part of the collections held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Glossopteris linearis, leaf fossils C016 / 4895
Glossopteris linearis, leaf fossils. Leaves from a deciduous bushy plant are here fossilised on a bedding plane of Permian siltstone

Neuropteris, seed fern fossil C016 / 4844
Neuropteris, seed fern fossil. This plant fossil dates from the Carboniferous. This specimen is part of the collections held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Alethopteris serli (Brongniart), Pteridosperm
Part of a frond of Alethopteris serli, a Pterisosperm, a plant from the Upper Carboniferous, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Range: Genus, Carboniferous; species, Westphalian

Dicroidium sp. seed fern
Fossil Triassic plant from Queensland, Australia

Neuropteris, seed fern
Shown here is the Carboniferous seed fern plant, Neuropteris

Glossopteris linearis, fossil leaves
Fossil leaves which lived as a deciduous bushy plant, preserved on a bedding plane of Permian siltstone (Old Agfa film - not possible to duplicate)

Glossopteris browniana
Fossil from Nagpur, India. Tongue-shaped leaves of the extinct Glossopteris are characteristic of the Permian and Triassic rocks of Gondwana. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Sagenopteris phillipsi, seed fern
Sagenopteris phillipsi, an extinct gymnosperm from the Jurassic period collected at Cayton Bay, Yorkshire, England. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Xenotheca devonica
Ovule (seed) bearing cupules of the early extinct gymnosperm from Devon, England dating from the Upper Devonian. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Trigonocarpus parkinsoni
Large nutlike seeds (about 2.5cm long) from the coal measures of England dating from Upper Carboniferous. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Glossopteris, fossil plant
Shown here is Glossopteris, a fossil fern plant with tongue-shaped leaves with a net-like arrangement of veins

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"Exploring the Ancient World: Unveiling the Enigmatic Seed Fern" Step into a prehistoric realm where ancient flora reigns supreme, as we delve into the captivating world of seed ferns. These remarkable plants, such as Mariopteris muricata and Glossopteris indica, hold secrets from Earth's distant past that continue to intrigue scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. Amongst the icy landscapes of Antarctica, fossilized leaves like Glossopteris indica offer glimpses into an era long gone. Their delicate imprints tell tales of a time when this region was teeming with lush vegetation, providing vital clues about our planet's evolution. Intriguingly, Neuropteris gigantea emerges as a prominent figure in this botanical narrative. As a Pteridosperm or "seed fern, " it showcases unique characteristics that bridge the gap between ferns and gymnosperms. Its existence challenges conventional classifications and adds complexity to our understanding of plant evolution. The Alethopteris lonchitica takes center stage among seed fern fossils with its distinctive features preserved in stone. These remnants provide invaluable insights into their reproductive structures and growth patterns—windows through which we can glimpse ancient ecosystems frozen in time. Fossil leaves belonging to Neuropteris further enrich our knowledge by showcasing intricate details of these once-thriving species. The preservation of these fragile tissues is nothing short of miraculous—a testament to the wonders hidden within Earth's geological archives. Glossopteris leaf fossils stand as silent witnesses to an era dominated by these enigmatic plants. Their widespread distribution across continents offers evidence for continental drift while raising questions about how they adapted to diverse environments over millions of years. Marvel at Alethopteris seed fern fossils C018 / 9379 and C018 / 9380—testimonies etched in stone that allow us to peer back through eons of time.