AN UNUSUAL FOSSIL CRINOID

This post concerns a fossil that I believe to be Catcocrinus glans (Hall), the youngest known species of this fossil crinoid genus, which is Early Carboniferous (i.e., Mississippian Period) in geologic age; thus it is about 350 million years old. This species is found in Missouri and Indiana. I include here an image of this particular crinoid (for the original illustration, see pl. 77, fig. 10 in Shimer and Schrock 1944:p. 196).  

This fossil does not resemble traditional crinoids, or any other illustration of any fossil, other than that of  Catcocrinus (note: I looked for a long time in every fossil book I have). The Mississippian age was a time of greatest crinoid diversity, and Catcocrinus seems to have been an example of a crinoid that took advantage of this diversification!

Figure 1. Actual specimen (6 3/4 cm tall and 5 cm wide) of this unusual crinoid. 

Figure 2. Catcorinus glans (copied from pl. 77, fig. 10---in Shimer and Schrock, 1944:p.196) [also see their short text note on p. 193].

Main Reference

Shimer, H. W. and R. R. Shrock.  Index fossils of North America. The M.I.T. Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 837 pp. 

THE FALSE SHAMROCK FLOWER

Oaxlis triangularis = the “false Shamrock Flower," which is in the wood-sorrel family. This flower has five, clover-shaped petals that grow in clusters and resemble a shamrock. The flowers grow on very long and very narrow, flexible stems. The stems do not shoot up from roots in the soil; instead they emerge from little brown bulbs. The leaves fold-down at night. The entire plant can be up to 20 inches tall.

This plant is a perennial (i.e., thrives for multiple years). There are several cultivares (varieties). This plant has variously colored flowers: bright purple, deep purple, pink, lavender, white, etc. The flowers attract butterflies.

This plant blooms in spring and summer. In southern California, it  does best indoors (otherwise it will go dormant during the winter).

  Classification

Kingdom Plantae

Clades (4 of them)

Order Oxalidales

Family Oxalidaceae

Genus Oxalis 

Species triangularis

All parts of this plant have toxic potential.

This plant is native to South America.

Reference: Wikipedia, 2026 

AN UNUSUAL PINE SHRUB

Pinus mugo is the scientific name for the shrub called “Mugo pine,” a dwarf-sized pine plant, which is native to subalpine zones in central and southern Europe. The word “mugo” is Italian for “small mountain pine.” Today, this plant thrives at elevations between 3,300 to 7,300 feet in the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpatians, and Balkin Mountains.

Figure 1. Mugo Pine (adult!). This shrub has been growing for years in my garden, yet the shrub mostly remains the same size!

Figure 2. Mugo Pine closeup.

This perennial is a hearty (tough) plant that is cultivated throughout the world.

It can reach 15 to 20 feet in height and 20 to 30 feet in width, but some varieties average 2 to 5 feet tall. It is a slow-growing plant that can live in all types of soil. For the most part, this dwarf-pine tree gains only a few inches in height per year. It is also drought-tolerant. It is a plant that is well suited for growing in gardens. It prefers full-sun conditions. These pines can live up to 50 years.

It prefers full sun and can tolerate moderately hot temperatures. This tree does quite well in southern California (we have two trees in our gardent).

Genetic studies show that Pinus mugo persisted in glacial refugia (survival areas) during the last ice ages (e.g., north of the Alps). After the glaciers receded, the mugo populations reconnected allowing the gene flow and expansion across the European mountain chains into harsh alpine environments. After the glaciers receded, these populations of mugo reconnected, allowing genetic mixture and subsequent and expansion across the European mountain chains.

Main reference used for text: Wikipedia, 2026. 

ATTU ISLAND, ALASKA: AN INTERESTING TECTONIC HISTORY AND A BIRD-WATCHER'S WONDERLAND

Attu Island  (located at approximately 52.8 degrees North latitude and 173 degrees East longitude) is the most westward island in Alaska and is 1600 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Location of Attu Island, indicated by the red arrow, in the Pacific Northwest (Google Earth image).

The island is near the western tip of the Aleutian Islands chain, and it is one of the westernmost points of the United States. Its location required a major redrawing of the western boundary of the International Date Line (see the “V” shaped line on Figure 2---just west of the lettering for “Near Islands”). 

Figure 2. Location of Attu Island (indicated by the red arrow) relative to the inter-national date line (Rand McNally Earth Map).

The island is located at 53 degrees North latitude North, 173 degrees longitude East, and is 35 miles long. The Russian Kamchatka Peninsula is 208 miles west of Attu.

The island (Fig. 3) was occupied by Japanese forces during World Ware II, and subsequent fierce battles took place there in 1943. Some warfare equipment is still present but very rusted. The Coast Guard was present on the island for quite awhile, but it left in 2010, leaving the island uninhabited.

Figure 3. ERTS imagery of Attu Island, with latitude and longitude;(a Google Earth image).

The island is now a sanctuary for migrating birds (with many species from Asia). The island is a “birder’s paradise,” with about 748 species of birds recognized. In the references below, I have listed a few URL’s in the References herein, if you want to see detailed lists of birds that have seen on the island. A few examples are: Cacking Goose, Green-Winged Teal, Harlequin Duck, Red-Breasted Mergansa, Black-Tailed Godwit, Tuffed Puffin, Laysan Albabross, Snowy Owl, Common Cucko, White-Tailed Eagle, Chinese Pond Heron, etc. Some of the birds are endemic, whereas others migrate from Asia. Literally millions of sea birds visit the island yearly.

The climate on the island is “subpolar oceanic,” which translates into cold, foggy, and rainy. It has 49 inches of rainfall per year. The cold also has allowed a recently recognized glacier (with crevasses) that formed near the top of the highest mountain on the island (3,000 feet in height). Clear days are rare (only about 8 or 10 per year!) on Attu Island; the rest of the time it is overcast, cold, and rainy (not exactly a resort-type place to visit!). On Attu, five or six days a week are likely not to be rainy.

This island is at the western end of a volcanic chain of islands (i.e., the Aleutian Arc) in which volcanic islands have been formed by subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the North American plate. Attu will be subducted into the Aleutian Trench located immediately southwest of Attu (Fig. 4).

Figure 4. Location of Attu Island (indicated by red arrow) relative to the Aleutian Trench (source National Geographic map, Pacific Ocean Floor, October, 1969).

 As a result of its geologic history, Attu is dominated by volcanic rocks (e.g., andesite and dacite dikes). The oldest rocks on the island are Oligocene-Miocene, about 30 million years in age. Eventually, Attu Island will be subducted back into the Earth’s interior, from which it originally came from.

References;

https://ebird.org/hotspot/L8200014/bird-list

https://fws.gov/refuge/alaska-maritime, visit-us/activities/birding

Wikipedia, 2025.

SPINOSAURUS: LIKELY THE LARGEST CARNIVOROUS DINOSAUR

Spinosaurus (the name literally means “spine lizard) was a massive semi-aquatic, carnivorous theropod dinosaur. It is famous for having a large “sail” (up to 7 feet tall) on its back. This reptile had a semi-aquatic lifestyle and is the first dinosaur known to have spent significant time in water. Its nostrils were positioned further back on the snout and close to the eyes. These traits allowed facilitated breathing when the reptile was submerged as it hunted fish. 

Figure 1. Spinosaurus, side view. It is likely that Spinosaurs was the largest carnivorous dinosaur (e.g., longer and heavier than T. rex). Spinosaurus was adapted for swimming as it had dense bones (for buoyancy control), short hind legs, and a paddle-like tail. The largest specimen was possibly 50 to 60 feet long (although that estimate is still debated). Its largest known skull is 1.75 m (6 feet) in length.

Figure 2. Geologic time range of Spinosaurus, which  lived in northern Africa, between 112 – 95 million years ago [= Albian to Turonian time] during Cretaceous time.

The climate was warming when Spinosaurus lived. The body length of Spinosaurus was up to 59 feet long (18 m)! It had a semi-aquatic lifestyle and, like modern crocodiles, lived around rivers. 

Figure 3. A conical tooth of Spinosaurus (x cm long, y cm wide).

Spinosaurus had a long snout and straight/conical teeth that were not curved nor bladelike, as in other theropod dinosaurs. Also, Spinosaurus teeth were not serrated.  They were well adapted for eating fish and other smaller prey. In sum, its teeth are different than any other dinosaur.  This figured tooth is from Cenomanian-age rocks (about 95 million years old) that are exposed at Tauoz, Morocco. Spinosaurus teeth are commonly found at this locality.

Spinosaurus was first discovered in eastern Egypt, but the remains were destroyed during World War II by bombing.  New discoveries in the 21^st century, especially from Morocco, have resulted in a fuller understanding of this dinosaur lived.

summary FLOWERING PLANTS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, SANTA CLARITA, LOS ANGELES COUNTY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

note: This blog post is number 500 in my on-going series of blog posts that I started in 2014 (12 years ago). To date, I have a total of 641,000 views of my blog. I whole-heartedly thank you for your continued interest. Stay tuned, as I have more blog posts coming your way!

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I live in a mild-warm climate in Southern California---in particular, within the United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] Zone 9. There are a total of 13 official USDA plant-hardiness zones in the USA. For a map that shows these zones, see the USDA website.

Zone 9 (=Santa Clarita weather) has mildly low temperatures that rarely falls bellows freezing. But, this zone has long hot summers with corresponding long growing seasons. Consequently, the flowers found in Zone 9 are diverse. Some of those in my neighborhood are listed here: most grow year around (perennials), whereas others grow only for a short time (annuals). Examples of both kinds of these flowers are listed below.

PERENNIALS:  Known for rapid growth and abundant blooms. These flowers will grow back, on their own, year after year, if the climate stays mild. 

An asterisk in the following list indicates that I have previously published a blog post (with photos) about that particular flower. 

Images included herein of some of the perennial flowers are denoted by the red font.

Azalea

Begonia

Bouganvillea

*Caesalpina = “Peacock Flower” 

Buddleja or Buddleia = Butterfly Bush

*Calla Lilly

Campis radicans = Pine Trumpet Vine

Chrysanthemum

Dietes iridoides = Fortnight Lily

Diplacus puniceus = Red Bush Monkey Flower

*Gladiolus

Eschcholzia = California Poppy

Fuchsia (hardy fuchsia variety)

*Gazania

*Helianthus = Sunflower

*Hemerocallis = day lily

*Hibicus

Impatiens

*Iris

*Lantana

*Lillium = true lily

*Magnolia (southern variety)

Mimulus

Narcissis papyraceus (paper-white variety)

Oenothera (evening primrose)

Ornithogalum dubium (sun star flower)

Polygala myrtifolia = Myrtle-leaf Milkwort

Rhododendron

Petuna

Pelargonium (related to the geraniums)

Poppy (short-lived in Santa Clarita)

Primula biennis (= primrose flower)

Rosa

*Salvia (French Lavender)

Ornithogalum dubium (Sun star flower)

Oxalis articulata (Shamrock flower)—requires being indoors

Tecomaria capensis = Cape Huneysuckle

Tibouchina

Tradescantia pallida (Purple-Heart Plant) 

*Zantedeschia = “Bird of Paradise”

ANNUALS: Complete their entire life cycle in a single growing season; usually they will not come back the next summer unless you reseed them or regrow them from cuttings. Images included herein of a few of the annual flowers are denoted by the red font.

Borago = an herb with miniflowers--see one of my earlier blog posts about plants.

Cosmos

Tagete = Marigold 

*Sunflowers [genus Helianthus], primarily an annual.

*Zinnia [primarily an annual but can be a perennial under the right conditions].

Note: The distinction between perennial and annual plants can be transitional/variable, depending on the species and the climate. Thus, some flowers that act as perennials in one climate, will act as an annual in a cooler/colder climate. For example, BOUGANVILLEA is a tropical woody vine classified as a perennial in warm climates. But this plant is grown as an annual or a container plant in cooler regions, where it dies back in freezing temperatures; although though it can regrow from the foots if protected or brought indoors. Somewhat confusing, eh? That’s nature!

BIENNIALS: Complete their life cycle in two years.

Evening Primose

*Alcea = Hockhock; they appear to be perennials that come back year after year, but they are actually biennials which self-seed prolifically. 

Some other biennials: carrots, Brussul spouts

Comments for representative images of some of Zone 9 flowers not previously illustrated in my blogs:

Figure 1. Bouganvillea is a tropical woody vine and is classified as a perennial in warm climates but is grown as an annual or a container plant in cooler regions where it dies back in freezing temperatures, though it can regrow from the foots if protected or brought indoors.

Figure 2. Pelargonium [= Ivy Geranium] is a “tender” perennial; it grows as an annual in colder climates. Based on molecular dating and dispersal-geologic history, the origin of branches of this family probably occurred during the Oligocene (about 30 mya) in southern Africa (Fiz et al. 2008).

Figure 3. Rosa (pink variety). One of the most recognizable flowers in the world is the rose, which is classified as the genus Rosa. There are about 180 species. Their flowers vary greatly in color, and there is also variation in their size and shape. Most species are native to Asia. Today, there are many varieties and colors of roses, and most specialists divide them into three categories: “Old Garden Roses”, “Wild Roses”, and “Modern Roses”. The earliest known fossil roses (imprints of leaves) are from the latest Eocene (about 35 million years old) from the Florissant Formation in Colorado (i.e., the Fossil Bed National Monument at Florissant, Colorado (Edwards and Weber, 1990).

Figure 4. Tibouchina. The geologic time range of this flower is not known. It is native to the southern part of the New World (e.g. Brazil, South America, etc.) (Wikipedia, 2026). 

Figure 5. Cosmos is an annual flower and requires replanting from seeds each year. The geologic time range of this flower is not known. It is native to the southern part of the New World (South America) (Wikipedia, 2026). 

Figure 6. Marigold is an annual flower and requires replanting from seeds each year. The geologic time range of this flower is not known except that it diversified during the Cenozoic (Wikipedia, 2026). It is native to the southern part of the New World (South America and Mexico). 

ZONE 9: Some fruit that grow [or have grown] in our garden in Santa Clarita, California are: blue berries, grapes, lemons, peaches, raspberries, strawberries, tangerines, watermelons, zucchini. Anna apples grow across the street from our house.

ZONE 9: Vegetables that grow [or have grown] in our garden in Santa Clarita are: bell peppers, beets, broccoli, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, carrots, corn, cucumbers, green chiles, onions, potatos, pumpkins, radishes, red-leaf lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini. Some of these vegetables are shown here: from left to right---beets (four of them), carrots, cucumbers, and zucchini.

Most vegetables are annuals, but the two examples in bold font in the above paragraph = biennials. 

Not included in this blog post, are succulents (e.g., cacti), which are usually perennials. Two unusual succulents living in Santa Clarita, however, are the “Elephant Ear” and “False Christmas” flowers.”

REFERENCES

Edwards, M.E. and W.A. Weber. 1990. Plants of the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Bulletin of Pikes Peak Research Station, Number 2. Colorado Outdoor Education Center, Florissant, Colorado. 

Fiz, O. and five others. 2008. Phylogeny and historical biogeography of Geraniaceae in relation to climate changes and pollination ecology. Systematic Botany 33(2), pp. 326-342. 

Wikipedia. 2026 

LONGEST LIVING OCEAN LIFEFORMS

1) THE “IMMORTAL” jellyfish: Turritopsis dohrnii: This is the only known species that can biologically reverse its life cycle, thus potentially living forever. When stressed, it can revert from its adult stage (medusa) back to its juvenile stage (polyp). Thus it is capable of “living forever. This animal is very small (it would fit on your little finger nail).

2) 11,000 YEARS-OLD DEEP-SEA GLASS SPONGES: Euplectella spp.: 

These sponges, also referred to as the “Venus flower-basket” sponges or as “glass sponges,” have estimated lifespans of thousands of years (potentially 11,000 years). Euplectella ranges in height from 4 to 12 inches. [Note: Giant Barrel sponges are also of considerable age.]

3) 4,600 YEARS-OLD BLACK CORAL: Leiopathes annosa.

These are deep-sea corals, are known to live in lush “coral gardens”near in the deep seas (up to 20,000 feet deep) = 6,000 m); for example: especially near the Hawaiian Islands but can occur elsewhere. These corals range from 1.6 to 55 inches in height). They  are named for the black color of their bush-like skeleton, but the external tissues come in many bright colors (e.g., green, orange, etc.) Black corals are unlike shallow-water corals which have a close relationship with photosynthetic algae, called zooanthelle. These black corals have growth rings like terrestrial trees and are used to determine the age of the corals. 

4) 500 YEARS-OLD QUAHOG CLAM: Arctica islandica.

Ocean quahog clams live in the cold North-Atlantic waters, from Newfoundland to North Carolina. They are also found in Iceland (see one of my previous blogs), Ireland, Britain, France, Denmark, Labrador, and northwest Russia.  They are the oldest known non-colonial animal. The oldest-known specimen, referred to as “Ming” was killed in order to determine its age (507 years!). Quahog clams are found in depths from 4 to 482 m (see one my previous blogs), where they are dredged up and provide an abundant source of commercial-food for humans. See my previous post on "Iceland mollusks" for more information. 

                                                     A Quahog clam, about 7 inches long.

5 ) 250-500 YEARS OLD GREENLAND SHARK: Somniosus microcephalus. This shark lives in Arctic and North Atlantic in cold, deep waters, from the surface to greater than 7,000 feet deep. It eats fish, seal, squid, and carrion (e.g., polar bear carcasses). It can reach a length of 24 feet. This shark has a very slow metabolism, with body-length growth about 1 cm/years. It reaches sexual maturity around 150 years. It is an  extremely slow swimmer (called the “sleeper shark.”) Their tissues contain compounds that act as anti-freeze. Also, these sharks often has parasites attached to the area around their eyes. 

6) 200 YEARS-OLD BOWHEAD WHALE: Balaena mysticetus.These are the oldest-living mammals on Earth today. They are Arctic-dwelling and have a massive blow-shaped head that is used for breaking through sea ice. They have two blowholes at the top of their head. Their head is 40 percent of their body length (can have a total body length of 60 ft (18.3 m). They may be the longest living mammal. There is no dorsal fin. They are filter feeders that eat zooplankton (e.g. zooplankton, like copepods). They have hundreds of baleen plates to help crush their food.

note: Wikipedia (2026) was very useful in obtaining size data and other data for all of the lifeforms mentioned above.