Rock Type: Gray shale
Formation: Allegheny
Interval: 5-Block seam
Age: Middle Pennsylvanian Period, approx. 303 million years.

Cyclopteris is the name given to oval or oval-elliptical leaflets of Neuropteris if they are found detached from rest of the plant.

This specimen is the cyclopteris of Neuropteris ovata, and if found attached to the stem, would be called Neuropteris fimbriata. View a close-up image.

Remember, these plant fossils are described as form genera and form species, which is different from true genus and species classification. Early researchers did not know how all the different plant parts fit together. Consequently, the various parts of a single fossil plant could be described by a half dozen or more form species names.

Location: Wayne County, West Virginia; Rollem Fork Surface Mine #2, located about 8.5 miles west of Atenville, West Virginia. Take Route 68 west for 3 miles, turn left on Route 68 / 1 (Francis Creek Road) and drive approximately 6 miles. Just before Frances Creek empties into Kiah Creek a dirt road branches off to the right up a small hill. Site is 1 mile up this dirt road on the right.