Fossil Hill (part 1)

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Fossil Hill in Montague County is very magical place to visit. Jeanne and Wayne are the land stewards of this beautiful private property. So if you get an opportunity to go on a field trip there, jump at the chance. In fact, your next chance to get in on a field trip will be April 8th led by Jeff Quayle through the Fort Worth Chapter of NPAT. However, hurry because there are only a limited spots open.

So this post and several posts to follow will give you an idea to the beauty that you will see at Fossil Hill.

My mission on my visit to Fossil Hill that day was in search of Earth-fruit or Tiny Tim (Geocarpon minimum) Remember Little things? In fact, Fossil Hill has possibilities for Tiny Tim. So with Jeanne leading the way, off we went.

First photo! Jeanne, of course, knows all the spots that may be likely candidate soils for Tiny Tim. Furthermore, Sand Spike-moss (Selaginella arenicola) is known to associate with Tiny Tim. 🤞🏼

Not to mention, that Sand Spike-moss is really pretty up close!

A Purple-fringed Liverwort (Reboulia hemisphaerica) was a little bit on the worse to wear here. However, this was not mentioned as a known association with Tiny Tim. Also the globby and shiny looking stuff was a jelly lichen. Jelly lichens partners are cyanobacteria unlike some of the algae partners of many other lichens.

Fringed Liverwort (Oxymitria paleacea) capsules. Now you are probably wondering where it got its common name, right?

Indeed, here is the reason! It has ciliated edges!

A closer look. Looks pretty scary, eh. LOL

In this photo you can see the leaves or gametophyte and the tops of the capsules.

Texas Balloonwort (Sphaerocarpaceae texanus), a very tiny liverwort that is ephemeral. Look for it in damp sandy soils.

So you may wondering what the area really looks like overall? Well, I promise in the next posts, you will get the whole tour. Sometimes, I do look up on occasion. LOL. However, a lot time was spent looking at the ground. More tomorrow!

‘Horrifying’ Plastic Rocks Emerge in Remote Island Paradise

The Little-Known Origin Story behind the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics

She is on a USPS stamp too!

Keep looking!

The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know

2 Comments

  2. Fossil Hill is a beautiful place to visit! The land stewards are so passionate about their work that they are constantly exploring new soils for Tiny Tim, which is amazing. April 8th is a great opportunity to go on a field trip, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy the experience.

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