This long, narrow leaf is most likely from a member of the Willow family, Salix sp. and comes from the Parachute Creek member of the Green River formation (Eocene, Lutetian stage). It was found in Bonanza, Utah and I purchased it because it came with an ID. I am hoping that I can use this and other identified specimens that I purchase to help ID fossils that I have found in the field. There are not many resources easily accessible that show pictures and names for plant and insect fossils from the Green River formation. I know I have found other examples of Salix sp. that are larger and more recognizable than this specimen but I need to go through my findings and locate it.
Showing posts with label Bonanza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bonanza. Show all posts
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Friday, March 13, 2020
Cardiospermum coloradensis leaf from the Green River formation
Soapberry plants are typically found in the tropics and their presence in a northerly latitude like where NE Utah is indicates that the climate used to be much warmer than it is now. Below is a leaf from the Soapberry family, called Cardiospermum coloradensis, that is also called "Balloon Vine". Fossils of these leaves are somewhat common in the Parachute Creek member of the Green River formation (Eocene, Lutetian stage), but most of what I have found are smaller. I purchased this piece because of the good preservation and size of the leaf. I identified it based on this image from James St. John's Flickr page.
Labels:
Bonanza,
Eocene,
Green River Formation,
Plants,
Utah
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
Caesalpinites sp. leaf from the Green River formation
Here is another fossil leaf from the Parachute Creek member of the Green River formation (Eocene, Lutetian stage) that I purchased because it came with an ID. It's a leaf called Caesalpinites sp. The fossil is small and somewhat faint against the rock but you can make out the central vein and overall shape of the leaf. This specimen comes from a site near Bonanza, Utah. I'm having a hard time finding any more info about this genus to try and narrow down the species. I've seen other leaves labelled as Caesalpinites falcata from the same area but they look different than my specimen. It could be a different species or maybe the plant had different shaped leaves on different areas.
Labels:
Bonanza,
Eocene,
Green River Formation,
Plants,
Utah
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