XL 2.3" Fossil Pine Cone Equicalastrobus Replaced By Agate Eocene Age Seeds Fruit

Location: Talsine, Morocco

Weight: 0.7 Ounces

Dimensions: 2.3 Inches Long, 0.8 Inches Wide

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Equicalastrobus are fossilized conifer seed cones that date back to the Eocene epoch, approximately 33–55 million years ago. These rare and fascinating fossils are primarily found in the Western Sahara region of Morocco, particularly near Talsine and west of Boujdour. Equicalastrobus cones were part of ancient conifer forests that once covered this area, offering a window into the paleoecology and plant diversity of the Eocene period.

The preservation of Equicalastrobus pine cones occurs through permineralization, a process where the original organic material is gradually replaced by minerals such as agate or silica. This results in exquisitely detailed agatized fossils that retain the intricate structure of the cone, including scale patterns and seed chambers. Many specimens even display signs of ancient insect activity, revealing ecological interactions that occurred millions of years ago.

While these cones belong to the conifer family, the exact species of tree that produced them remains unidentified. Like modern pine cones, Equicalastrobus cones housed seeds that allowed the spread of coniferous trees and likely served as a food source for prehistoric animals. Collectors and paleobotanists highly value these fossils for their scientific significance, natural beauty, and insight into the Eocene’s ancient landscapes.