On this plate there are several fossil short branches of the dawn redwood tree Metasequoia occidentalis The fossil offers a particularly beautiful and high-contrast preservation. The longest branch measures about 76 mm, as it is on the plate.
The tree genus Metasequoia was initially only known in fossil records until a recent relic occurrence of this living fossil was found in China in 1941. The recent species Metasequoia glyptostroboides is not permanently green Short shoots of the primeval sequoia turn red-brown in color in winter, as in deciduous trees, and are thrown off. |