Manganese Dendrites
A variety of 'Manganese Oxides'
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About Manganese Dendrites
Black dendritic films or aggregates of various visually indistinguishable black manganese oxides, which may occur on all kinds of rocks.
These dendrites may consist of birnessite, coronadite, cryptomelane, hollandite, romanèchite, todorokite or other species. Many manganese minerals have similar chemistry and X-ray powder patterns and usually show line-broadening in dendrites, due to their poor crystallinity, which can make X-ray diffraction identification ineffectual. Potter and Rossman (1979) have found that infra-red spectroscopy has been helpful in verifying some dendrite mineralogy. Currently, there are no known manganese dendrites in the world which contain pyrolusite (Potter & Rossman, 1979).
It was recently shown that manganese dendrites that formed in clinoptilolite-tuffs
(Hou et al., 2023) grow through the formation, diffusion, and attachment of Mn oxide nanoparticles, i.e. via a non-classical crystallisation pathway.
These dendrites may consist of birnessite, coronadite, cryptomelane, hollandite, romanèchite, todorokite or other species. Many manganese minerals have similar chemistry and X-ray powder patterns and usually show line-broadening in dendrites, due to their poor crystallinity, which can make X-ray diffraction identification ineffectual. Potter and Rossman (1979) have found that infra-red spectroscopy has been helpful in verifying some dendrite mineralogy. Currently, there are no known manganese dendrites in the world which contain pyrolusite (Potter & Rossman, 1979).
It was recently shown that manganese dendrites that formed in clinoptilolite-tuffs
(Hou et al., 2023) grow through the formation, diffusion, and attachment of Mn oxide nanoparticles, i.e. via a non-classical crystallisation pathway.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
26645 (as Manganese Dendrites)
26664 (as Manganese Oxides)
26664 (as Manganese Oxides)
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:26645:3 (as Manganese Dendrites)
mindat:1:1:26664:8 (as Manganese Oxides)
mindat:1:1:26664:8 (as Manganese Oxides)
Synonyms of Manganese Dendrites
Other Language Names for Manganese Dendrites
German:Mangandendriten
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 38 photos of Manganese Dendrites associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
| 37 photos of Manganese Dendrites associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
| 12 photos of Manganese Dendrites associated with 'Chalcedony' | SiO2 |
| 11 photos of Manganese Dendrites associated with 'Limestone' | |
| 7 photos of Manganese Dendrites associated with Rhodochrosite | MnCO3 |
| 6 photos of Manganese Dendrites associated with Albite | Na(AlSi3O8) |
| 6 photos of Manganese Dendrites associated with Talc | Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 |
| 6 photos of Manganese Dendrites associated with 'Honey Opal' | SiO2 · nH2O |
| 6 photos of Manganese Dendrites associated with Microcline | K(AlSi3O8) |
| 6 photos of Manganese Dendrites associated with Aragonite | CaCO3 |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Manganese Dendrites
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-26645.html
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References for Manganese Dendrites
Reference List:
POTTER, R. M., ROSSMAN, G. R. (1977) Desert Varnish: The Importance of Clay Minerals. Science, 196 (4297). 1446-1448 doi:10.1126/science.196.4297.1446
Potter, Russell M., Rossman, George R (1979) Mineralogy of manganese dendrites and coatings. American Mineralogist, 64 (11-12) 1219-1226
McKeown, David A., Post, Jeffrey E. (2001) Characterization of manganese oxide mineralogy in rock varnish and dendrites using X-ray absorption spectroscopy. American Mineralogist, 86 (5) 701-713 doi:10.2138/am-2001-5-611
Bayirli, Mehmet, Kockar, Hakan (2010) A Numeric Application Using Diffusion Limited Aggregation Model for the Manganese Dendrites. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A, 65 (10). 777-780 doi:10.1515/zna-2010-1003
Xu, H., Chen, T., Konishi, H. (2010) HRTEM investigation of trilling todorokite and nano-phase Mn-oxides in manganese dendrites. American Mineralogist, 95 (4) 556-562 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3211
Localities for Manganese Dendrites
Showing 261 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Argentina | |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry | |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry | |
| |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry +1 other reference | |
| Peña (1970) | |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry |
| Raúl J. Tauber Larry´s collection | |
| Raúl J. Tauber Larry´s collection | |
| Ávila |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry | |
| Raul J. Tauber Larry | |
| Raul J. Tauber Larry +1 other reference | |
| Raúl J. Tauber Larry´s collection | |
| Raúl J. Tauber Larry´s collection (2014) | |
| Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry |
Australia | |
| ... +1 other reference |
| Leon Allen collection |
| Judy Rowe collection |
| Judy Rowe collection |
| Judy Rowe collection | |
| Judy Rowe collection |
| Sorrell (n.d.) |
Austria | |
| Götzinger et al. (2009) |
| Kuba Kornaga |
| Erwin Löffler collection (visual ID) |
| Erwin Löffler collection |
| Uwe Kolitsch (visual ID) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Reiterer et al. (1993) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
| Neschen (n.d.) |
Brazil | |
| Rock Currier collection quartz specimen |
| |
| Costa et al. (2016) |
Canada | |
| Patricia Eisenberg |
Chile | |
| Jeremy Caqueo Collection +1 other reference |
China | |
| Amo Wang specimen (see photo) |
| boyuan zhang Collection |
Denmark | |
| Jakob Aanstad phot & specimen ( photo-1386328) |
| bert de ruiter |
DR Congo | |
| De Bondt (n.d.) |
| De Bondt (n.d.) |
Ecuador | |
| Alejandro Felix Gutierrez |
| Alejandro Felix Gutierrez |
| Collected by Alejandro Félix |
Egypt | |
| David Fryauff field collected specimens |
| Abed et al. (2022) |
France | |
| Pascal Ollic Collection. |
| Belot (1978) |
| Chauris (2014) |
| Chauris (2014) |
| Hohl (1994) |
| Berbain et al. (2005) |
| Belot (1978) |
| Belot (1978) | |
| Olivier Mével specimen |
| Berbain et al. (2005) | |
| Berbain et al. (2005) | |
| Olivier Mével specimen |
| Olivier Mével specimen |
| Berbain et al. (2005) | |
| Berbain et al. (2005) | |
| Jean-Vincent Coureau find & collection |
Germany | |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Alfred Passath Collection |
| Weiß (1990) |
| F. Müller: "Bayerns steinreiche Ecke" et al. (Hof) |
| F. Müller: "Bayerns steinreiche Ecke" et al. (Hof) |
| Weiß (1990) |
| Nickel et al. (1985) |
| found by FdW |
| bert.deruiter@gmail.com |
| Blaß et al. (2015) |
| Pape (1974) |
| Ko Jansen |
| Kuba Kornaga collection. |
| Wittern (2001) |
Greece | |
| Rottenmanner (2010) |
Hungary | |
| Mineral Species of Hugary |
| Sándor et al. (2005) |
| Sándor et al. (2005) |
| GEODA |
| GEODA/2001 |
| Sándor et al. (2005) |
Iran | |
| Abedini et al. (2024) |
Italy | |
| Andrea Opicelli Collection |
| Andrea Opicelli Collection |
| Boni et al. (1976) |
| Andrea Oppicelli Collection |
| Traverso (1898) |
| Gaetano Sicurella collection |
| A.Costantini (2015) |
| Bonifazi (2020) | |
| Bonifazi (2020) |
| Bonifazi (2020) | |
| C. Biagioni |
| "Mario Lazzerini Denchi" Collection |
Japan | |
| specimens distributed by Professor ... |
| Yamada (2004) +1 other reference |
| Hiromi Yamasaki collection |
| Alfredo Petrov field observations |
| Yamada (2004) |
Kosovo | |
| Cunico Resources |
Malawi | |
| Jewel Tunnel specimens |
Mexico | |
| Alejandro Felix Gutierrez Collection |
Morocco | |
| Don Windeler collection |
Namibia | |
| - (n.d.) |
New Zealand | |
| Tim Saunderson collection |
| Collection of RJ Martin |
Norway | |
| - (n.d.) |
| Rune Alexander Fredriksen photo & ... |
| Rune Alexander Fredriksen photo & ... |
Poland | |
| Kuba Kornaga collection & photo |
| JMK'2011 |
| JMK'2011 |
| Roemer (1870) |
| Kwiatkowski 2005 |
| JMK'2019 |
| JMK'2018 |
Portugal | |
| António Martins collection |
| Martins da Pedra collection |
| Nunes (n.d.) |
| Rui Nunes 2010 |
| Martins da Pedra collection |
| Martins da Pedra collection |
| Nunes (n.d.) | |
| Nunes (n.d.) |
| King (n.d.) |
Russia | |
| webmineral.ru (2021) |
| Svetova et al. (2023) |
Slovakia | |
| Alfred Passath Collection |
South Africa | |
| Heron (1990/1991) +1 other reference |
| Heron |
Spain | |
| Joan Martinez Bruguera field collected ... |
| josep Sanchez-La Fuente i Mariol (INTAN) |
| Col. Agustin Agudo Espinosa. |
UK | |
| Lloyd Llewellyn (see picture) |
| Alysson Rowan collection |
USA | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| I visited the site on 6/15/2024 and ... |
| Rolf Luetcke |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| P Cristofono collection |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Boyd (2025) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| www.lgsweb.org (2002) |
| - (2005) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| B.A. Collection |
| Jeff Weissman collection |
| Nicholas Rondilone's Collection |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| mineralsocal.org (2020) |
| Brighton Alfred Collection. |
| Stephenson (2008) |
| King (n.d.) |
| Rocks & Minerals: Sept |
| Ted Johnson collection |
| John Burnham |
| John Burnham |
| Cristofono (n.d.) | |
| Cristofono (n.d.) | |
| Kevin Czaja Collection |
| Moritz (n.d.) |
| Steve Bonney Collection | |
| Harold Moritz Collection | |
| King (n.d.) |
| Lalith Aditya Senthil Kumar Collection | |
| E.L. Clopton collection |
| Rocks & Minerals (Nov.-Dec. 2002) | |
| ... |
| ... | |
| Ransom (1974) | |
| Goldstein (2006) |
| Daniel Levesque collection |
| Cristofono (n.d.) |
| Landes (1925) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| King et al. (1994) | |
| King (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Cristofono (n.d.) | |
| www.mindat.org (n.d.) |
| King (n.d.) |
| Bill Bunn specimen and photo | |
| King et al. (1994) |
| cameron holden |
| Stuart Herring Collection |
| Parker (2005) |
| Daniel Clark collection |
| William Prescott (1852) |
| Emerson (1895) |
| |
| Cristofono (n.d.) |
| Cristofono (n.d.) |
| Dan Fountain collection |
| ... |
| Dan Fountain collection |
| Charles Calkins |
| Tucker (n.d.) +1 other reference |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Peggy L. Smith (1983) |
| |
| P. Cristofono collection |
| Cristofono (n.d.) |
| Cristofono (n.d.) |
| Cristofono (n.d.) |
| P. Cristofono collection |
| Cristofono (n.d.) |
| P Cristofono collection | |
| P Cristofono collection 2010 |
| Calcite and Dolomite can be found next to the DACC (Dona Ana Community College) |
| Brighton Alfred Collection. | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| P Cristofono collection | |
| Cristofono (n.d.) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Dean Allum |
| St. Lawrence County Rock & Mineral Club |
| Bruce Osborne Collection |
| Rocks & Minerals 81:229-234 |
| www.delminsociety.net/easton.htm |
| P Cristofono collection +1 other reference |
| George (1969) | |
| |
| E.L. Clopton collection #173 |
| E.L. Clopton collection #635 |
| E.L. Clopton collection #1074 | |
| ... |
| T. Douglas Schonewald field collected ... |
| www.uwrf.edu/~wc01/psilomelane.htm |
| William S. Cordua collection |
| William Cordua |
Solnhofen, Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen District, Middle Franconia, Bavaria, Germany