Eocene Fossil Leaves - Green River Formation

This is a 5.6" wide plate of shale with two fossil leaves from the Eocene-aged Green River Formation, collected at Lindgren quarry in Kemmerer, Wyoming. The leaves have dark-orange coloration which contrasts well against the shale. The partial leaf of the genus Rhus (sumac). The complete leaf measures 1.35" long and is unidentified.

This specimen includes a metal/acrylic stand.

About Fossil Lake

50 million years ago, in the Eocene epoch, these fish thrived in Fossil Lake, which was fed by the Uinta and Rocky Mountain highlands. The anoxic conditions at the bottom of Fossil Lake slowed bacterial decomposition, prevented scavengers from disturbing corpses, and, most interestingly, suffocated creatures that ventured into the oxygen-starved aquatic layer. The result is a miraculous exhibition of Eocene biota: a subtropical aquatic community within sycamore forests, teeming with creatures such as freshwater stingrays, dog-sized horses, menacing alligators, early flying bats, and one of the first primates.

A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.
A view of one of the commercial quarries where fossils from the Green River Formation are collected.

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DETAILS
SPECIES
Rhus sp. (Sumac Leaf) & Unidentified Leaf
LOCATION
Lindgren Quarry, Kemmerer, Wyoming
FORMATION
Green River Formation, "Gastropod Layer"
SIZE
Complete Leaf: 1.35" long, Shale: 5.6 x 4.4"
ITEM
#257036
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our specimens.