A stunning example of a crinoid fossil of the species Pentacrinites fossilis from the world-famous Jurassic Coast beach of Charmouth, Dorset UK.
The fossil measures 77 mm (3.1 inches) across, which is large for this fossil type, and consists of a large crinoid stem with tentacle-like attachment cirri protruding from it and a small complete head. It has an extremely high level of detail down to the smallest parts. The other side has lots of crinoid stems on showing the five-pointed-star-shaped cross section that gives this genus its name. This is a very fine example of this fossil type and would have come from a larger colony of crinoids.
Around 196 million years old, this fossil would make a wonderful addition to any collection.
Crinoids are echinoderms closely related to starfish and sea urchins, and have been around for many hundreds of millions of years. They still live today in the deep seas around the world.