1.2" Detailed Leguminosites Lesquereuxiana Fossil Plant Leaf Eocene Green River FM Utah

Leguminosites lesquereuxiana Fossil Leaf – Early Middle Eocene Specimen from the Green River Formation

This finely preserved Leguminosites lesquereuxiana fossil leaf originates from the early Middle Eocene lake shales of the Green River Formation in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming, dating to approximately 53–48 million years ago. The specimen displays clear venation and well-defined leaf margins, characteristic of legume-type foliage that once thrived in warm, subtropical environments.

The Green River Formation is internationally renowned for its exceptional fossil preservation. While it is most famous for its beautifully detailed fish fossils, the formation also preserves a broad range of plants, invertebrates, reptiles, mammals, and even Eocene stromatolites. Plant fossils are especially abundant within these finely laminated sediments, reflecting the dense vegetation that flourished along the shores of extensive freshwater lakes during the Paleogene.

Leaves attributed to Leguminosae indicate that legume-related plants were an important element of the surrounding ecosystem. On rare occasions, fossil leaves from this formation may be found in association with faint insect impressions, offering insight into ancient plant–insect interactions. However, insect fossils remain relatively uncommon within Green River deposits.

This Leguminosites lesquereuxiana specimen contributes valuable information to the study of Eocene climate, plant diversity, and paleoecology in western North America. Ideal for collectors, educators, and museum displays, it represents a tangible connection to the lush, thriving landscapes that existed nearly 50 million years ago.