Asterophyllite

/ˌæstərəˈfɪlaɪt/ noun

Definition

A fossil plant from the Carboniferous period characterized by star-shaped leaf arrangements around a stem.

Etymology

From Greek aster (star) plus phyllon (leaf) plus the geological suffix -ite. The name describes the distinctive star-like pattern of its fossilized leaves.

Kelly Says

These ancient plants had leaves arranged in a perfect star pattern around their stems—it's like nature's own geometric design, and we can see it preserved in rocks 300 million years later!

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