What is "stigmaria"

Stigmaria \Stig*ma"ri*a\, n. [NL. See Stigma.] (Paleon.) The fossil root stem of a coal plant of the genus Sigillaria.

Underclay \Un"der*clay`\, n. (Geol.) A stratum of clay lying beneath a coal bed, often containing the roots of coal plants, especially the Stigmaria.

n. (context paleontology English) The fossil root stem of a coal plant of the genus ''Sigillaria''.

Stigmaria are a type of branching tree root fossil found in Carboniferous rocks. They were the roots of coal forest lycopsid trees such as Sigillaria and Lepidodendron. Each trunk tended to have four of those roots. Stigmaria is a form taxon, as the genus and species of the plant bearing the root is not identified.

Category:Carboniferous plants Category:Prehistoric plants Category:Lycopodiophyta