Two Triassic Crinoids Encrinus liliiformis

This plate with two fossilized Crinoids (sea lilies), Encrinus liliiformis, comes from the Middle Triassic 
layers (Upper Muschelkalk) of Neidenfels near Crailsheim in Germany.
These fossils are approximately 238 million years old.

Crinoids are not plants but marine animals, so-called echinoderms, that cling to the seafloor 
or driftwood with their stems. With their open corollas, these creatures filter plankton from the water.

Crinoids first appeared in the Ordovician (488 million years ago) and some species are still alive today.

Both sea lilies are preserved complete with stalk and calyx (corolla). One of the calyxes is slightly open, 
the other one is closed.

Unusual: Small black dots can be seen on one calyx; these are remnants of the animal's original coloring. 
Those are extremely rare!

The stone is unbroken and measures approximately 25 x 25 x 4 cm.

A beautiful and museum-worthy piece, perfectly prepared and without any manipulations!

SOLD