Lepidodendrons belong to one of the earliest major plant groups, the clubmosses. They were one of the major species living in the Carboniferous Period coal-forest swamps. Because of the diamond-shaped leaf scar patterns in their bark they were also known as a scale-tree. Other isolated parts of the plant are given other names. Lepidostrobus (or strobili) are the spore-containing cones which are found at the ends of the branches. The root sections are known as Stigmaria. Lepidodendron started life as a short, fat stump, which grew rapidly upward, with its pole-like trunk hardly increasing in circumference. It has been estimated that they could reach heights exceeding 165ft after only two or three years. Upon reaching its maximum height, simple forking branches sprouted out from its crown. The youngest parts of the tree, regardless of whether it is the growing trunks or the final uppermost branches, had long, slim often dagger-like leaves which looked similar to large blades of grass (called Sigillaria). Calamites (Annularia, Asterophylites)- meaning reed (also known as giant horsetail), was another of the giants which inhabited the warm damp swamps and marshes that covered the land during the Carboniferous Period. They reached heights of up to 100ft. Can you imagine this fast growing plant reaching a height greater than a ten-story building? Dimensions: 17-3/4" x 33-1/4" x 1-1/8"