Our Charniodiscus measures 2 3/8 inches long and is made of flexible plastic. It is detailed and purple in color, but its actual hue is unknown since scientists only have information from fossil records of the Cambrian Period. Although Charniodiscus is actually Precambrian, be sure to check out our Cambrian Period and other eras of prehistoric life.

Charniodiscus is an Ediacaran fossil that in life was probably a stationary filter feeder that lived anchored to a sandy sea bed. The organism had a holdfast, stalk and frond. The holdfast was bulbous shaped, and the stalk was flexible. The frond was segmented and had a pointed tip. There were two growth forms: one with a short stem and fat frond, and another with a long stalk, elevating a smaller frond about 50 centimetres (20 in) above the holdfast. While the organism superficially resembles the sea pens (cnidaria), it is probably not a crown-group animal.