Lepidodendron ophiurus (plant) (BIRUG 15076)

This specimen shows a part and counterpart of the plant *Lepidodendron ophiurus* – a tree-like plant that dominated the swampy rainforests that characterised the majority of the Carboniferous Period (~360–299 million years ago). Although this plant could grow taller than 30 metres, its few remaining living relatives are small, including quillworts and club mosses. Depending on the age of the plant its leaves would be either long grass-like blades or shorter ‘scales’ projecting directly from each stem. Fully grown individuals would have a tall straight trunk which split in half (bifurcated) repeatedly at the apex, forming a canopy of drooping branches. Juvenile plants had no branching canopy – instead resembling a trunk with grass-like leaves sprouting from its tip and sides. Due to its widespread success in the Carboniferous, this plant's remains form much of the UK's coal measures. This specimen was donated to the Lapworth by Sir G. H. Holcroft in 1917; scanning & animation was performed by Andrew Jones.