Maine


 * **Maine:** //Pertica quadrifaria //
 * **Description:** //Pertica quadrifaria //is a fossil of a fragment of a plant. Scientists have predicted that this plant grew to the maximum height of six feet and the diameter of this stem was able to grow up to an inch in diameter. It contained four rows of branches that were both sterile and fertile, these branches spiraled down to the bottom of the stem. Sterile branches created fork tips and were subdivided, while the fertile branches ended in clusters of sporangia, which are spore cases, that were dense and thick.
 * [[image:http://www.maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/fossils/pertica-pic-sm.gif width="130" height="157" caption="Pertica quadrifaria fossil "]]
 * **Time Existed:** This plant existed during the Devonian Period around 390 million years ago.
 * **Preservation:** The fossil of// Pertica quadrifaria //was preserved by a marsh they fell into and before they could decay, the plants were covered in sediment.
 * **Who Founded this Fossil and Why it is the State Fossil:** This was chosen to be the state fossil because of many reasons. One: It is a very rare fossil, only found in three other parts of the world. Two: it was first discovered in the state of Maine. And lastly because scientists see this plant as a big step in the evolution of vascular land plants, which made many other species of plants, such as the pine tree.
 * **Sources:** // Maine geological survey // . (2005, October 6). Retrieved from http://www.maine.gov/doc/nrimc/mgs/explore/fossils/stfossil.htm