1.1" Detailed Lygodium Kaulfussii Fossil Plant Leaf Eocene Age Green River FM Utah

Leguminosites lesquereuxiana Leaf 

This Leguminosites lesquereuxiana fossil leaf is preserved in the finely bedded shales of the Green River Formation, dating to the early Middle Eocene, approximately 53–48 million years ago. Recovered from deposits spanning Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming, the specimen exhibits crisp venation and balanced leaf symmetry, reflecting the calm lake-bottom conditions that allowed for such remarkable preservation.

During the Eocene, vast freshwater lakes covered much of this region, surrounded by dense, warm-climate forests. Although the Green River Formation is widely celebrated for its spectacular fossil fish, it also contains a rich record of plant life, along with reptiles, mammals, invertebrates, and even stromatolitic structures. Fossil leaves assigned to Leguminosites demonstrate that legume-type plants were well established and likely played a significant ecological role in stabilizing soils and contributing to the diversity of shoreline vegetation.

The laminated sediments occasionally preserve rare insect traces alongside plant material, offering insight into the ecological relationships of Paleogene ecosystems. Such occurrences, while uncommon, add further scientific interest to plant specimens from this formation.

This fossil provides valuable evidence for reconstructing Eocene climate conditions and forest composition across western North America. Ideal for collectors, educators, and institutional collections, this Leguminosites lesquereuxiana leaf offers a striking and scientifically meaningful glimpse into a lush ecosystem that flourished nearly 50 million years ago.