Petrified palmwood was named the state stone of Texas in 1969. It is found primarily in east Texas near the Gulf Coast. Petrified palmwood is a fossil that was formed millions of years ago when the trees died and fell into the mud below. Over time, the palmwood petrified to stone.
Identification
Petrified palmwood typically has a spotty appearance. The spots on a cross-cut section come from the hollow vascular tubes of the live palm tree. These tubes are usually filled with a darker mineral substance in the fossilized palmwood. The fossil may also have a pattern of lines on the surface parallel to the length of the trunk. It can vary in color from pale pink or yellow to dark brown or black. On some specimens, the bark can still be seen. Petrified palmwood is much heavier than the original wood from which it was formed.
The Facts
The genus of petrified palmwood is Palmoxylon sp. It formed in Texas during the Oligocene Epoch, which took place between 34 and 23 million years ago. The Oligocene Epoch was a time when the earth's temperature cooled. Thickening of the polar ice caps caused the oceans to recede, creating shallow seas with large, gently sloping beaches ideal for the growth of palm trees. Over many years, the palmwood, which had become buried in sediment, was replaced by minerals such as pyrite, dolomite, calcite and silica.
Geography
Petrified palmwood was also declared also the state fossil of Louisiana in 1976. It is common along the western border of Louisiana, which contacts the border of east Texas, especially in the Toledo Bend area. Petrified palmwood is the most common form of petrified wood in Texas.
Function
This fossil is considered a highly collectible item and is available in many stores. When polished, petrified palmwood has a very shiny, smooth surface. The colorful patterns formed by the cylindrical structures and regular grain add to the visual appeal of the stone. It is also made primarily of silica. This makes the stone ideal for jewelry items, such as pendants, brooches, pins, rings, earrings and cuff links. It can also be found on exhibit at the Texas Natural Science Center in Austin.
Benefits
Petrified palmwood polishes to a high shine. It is very hard, and thus can stand up to normal, everyday use. Its beauty and variety of colors makes it a very good decorative item. However, compared to other stones, it is relatively inexpensive.
Tags: Petrified palmwood, Petrified palmwood, east Texas, Oligocene Epoch, palmwood fossil
