Permian Period, 285 million years BP. A group of four Glossopteris sp. leaves on a matrix. 100 grams total, 52-71mm (2 - 2 3/4"). From an old Bristol paleontological collection; from Australia. Glossopteris leaves are a widespread fossil, but are difficult to assign by species because of the wide variety of venation patterns and morphology. They are found throughout what was once Gondwana, another support for continental drift. The genus derives its name from the Greek words for 'tongue' and 'fern'. They favoured a swampy habitat, and some had leaves up to a meter in length. [4, No Reserve]