Name:
Orophocrinus stelliformis, Cryptoblastus melo Age: Mississippian Formation: Lower Burlington Formation Location: Ralls County, Missouri Size: Plate is 3.6 inches across This specimen is not for sale Click here for similar specimens that are for sale
This is a very interesting specimen of two different blastoids from the Mississippian of Missouri. In the center of the plate is a wonderful example of Orophocrinus stelliformis. This beautiful, star-shaped blastoid is highly prized by the local collectors - it is a lucky day for the collector when one of these blastoids is found. On either side of the Orophocrinus is a complete example of Cryptoblastus melo, a different type of blastoid. These melon-shaped echinoderms are very robust and exhibit good plate structure. The white fossils contrast nicely with the orangish-brown matrix. The echinoderms are well positioned on the natural plate of limestone that contains many other fossil fragments. This is a very fine specimen of two different blastoids from the Lower Burlington Formation.