The area around Schallodenbach is well known for its Permian (Rotliegend) strata affected by volcanism. Outcrops of these strata are also present north of the Donnersberg volcano. Collectors looking for agates in those locations usually stumble upon fossiliferous cherts, particularly around Alzey. So did A.KITTELMANN/Hagen near Bornheim. What he found was mostly the silcified soils with roots as known from the Schallodenbach area. One sample, however, was distinctly different (Fig.1), and therefore It is discussed here.

The sample is slightly rounded, with a weather-stained crust on part of the surface. (Possibly the light-coloured crust precludes easy detection of cert samples of this type.) This sample is distinuished by its nearly glass-clear chalcedony matrix with small yellowish axes with diameters of one half to two millimeters. Many of them show well preserved tissue except near the centre. No central strand has been seen despite of thorough inspection. In the larger axes the centre may even be glass-clear. Such preservation precludes an identification of the plant parts.

		Fig.1: chert with roots
		Fig.2: roots of various diameter in transparent matrix

The tangle suggests an interpretation as roots, the absence of leaf-like structures supports this guess. Several axes bear lateral branches of various length. Some of the branches vanish in the depth of the matrix, others are very short (Fig.3). Detached parts seen in some places indicate damage and transport before silicification. The light-coloured coating seen on the roots is not there on the detached parts. The coating may be due to algal growth or mineral deposition on the living plant.

		Fig.3: short coated root branches
		Fig.4: detached roots in transparent matrix

It is hoped that more samples of this interesting chert variety will be found and that the plant fossils can be identified then. Thanks are due to A.KITTELMANN/Hagen who kindly provided his find for investigation and donated part of it.

text & photograph: R.KRETZSCHMAR/Chemnitz