This week we're taking a closer look at a giant grandpa that has captured the hearts, minds, and brains of tons paleobotanists- Psaronius, a now-extinct giant tree fern that's still teaching us a ton about what ancient ecosystems likely looked like. If you like oldies but goodies, fun fern facts, and doodles lovingly drawn by a researcher who REALLY wants to help you see what they are talking about, you'll love this one.

Sources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marattiaceae good start to tenenbaum fern family deep dive

https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/IB181/VPL/SpheFe/SpheFe4.html

https://steurh.home.xs4all.nl/engpsar/epsaron.html#wortel

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0034666799000330

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0034666721000026

https://library.isgs.illinois.edu/Pubs/pdfs/circulars/c492.pdf the leaf scarring source! The hand drawn pictures are a heartwarming treat that *DID* make me cry a little because I love people’s passion so much- a good reminder that humanity can be lovely (just in case you also need it right now)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv5DKzLbvS8

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0034666714000347